With all of the subjects and lessons that we want to teach our children, poetry may seem like an “extra” addition to an already busy schedule. At Epi Kardia, we have a different point of view. Poetry may be used to teach or compliment a variety of lessons. Considering that April is National Poetry Month, it seems like an ideal time to examine how homeschoolers can incorporate poetry in valuable, meaningful ways. Continue reading throughout this month as we discuss poetry for all ages and various subjects!

Character building has become a major buzzword in the homeschool community. For so many of us, our children’s character development takes priority over their academic pursuits because we realize that knowledge without morality is not only wasted, but it can also be dangerous. We live in a world where knowledge often creates evil situations even when the initial purpose was for good. The Internet is an obvious example as a tool for so many productive and healthy ideas, such as with this blog, but with a simple search, ungodly atrocities may be found. Is it any wonder that we strive to build Biblical character in our children above other things?

Using Poetry to Teach Character

Poetry offers awesome opportunities to focus on godly character and how we respond to people and events. Scripture provides an abundance of poetic beauty through the Psalms. This extraordinary book contains 150 lyric poems. Lyric poetry contains the emotional responses of the poet to someone or something. In the case of Psalms, the poets respond to God and His creation. This type of poetry allows for the opportunity to examine healthy, emotional responses. The world often demonstrates unhealthy emotions, whether it’s something like obsessive love or intense anger, while Scripture offers a more godly alternative. Some specific Psalms that may be used to directly discuss godly character include:

· Psalm 1 - describes what a godly person does not do or gives non-examples, such as “sit in the seat of scoffers” or “walk in the council of the wicked”

· Psalm 8 – emphasizes man’s accountability and responsibilities

· Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 143 – deal with David’s sins and his repentance; clearly demonstrate the harmfulness and seriousness of falling into sin.

Interestingly enough, while much of ancient pagan poetry has disappeared over the centuries, the beauty and truth of the Psalms continues to change hearts and teach many!

One of the greatest poems written for young men, If, is by Rudyard Kipling. Although not written from a Biblical perspective, it does contain some excellent moral lessons and great food for thought in growing from boyhood to manhood. As well, J.P. McEvoy wrote a version of this poem for girls that offers similar advice but with a more Biblical foundation.

If

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!

If For Girls
by J.P. McEvoy

If you can hear the whispering about you,
And never yield to deal in whispers, too;
If you can bravely smile when loved ones doubt you,
And never doubt, in turn, what loved ones do;
If you can keep a sweet and gentle spirit
In spite of fame or fortune, rank or place,
And though you win your goal or only near it,
Can win with poise and lose with equal grace;

If  you can meet with Unbelief, believing,
And hallow in your heart a simple Creed,
If you can meet Deception, undeceiving,
And learn to look to God for all you need;
If you can be what girls should be to mothers:
Chums in joy and comrades in distress,
And be unto others as you’d have the others
Be unto you – No more, and yet no less;

If you can keep within your heart the power
To say that firm, unconquerable “No”;
If you can brave a present shadowed hour,
Rather than yield to build a future woe;
If you can love, yet not let loving master,
But keep yourself within your own self’s clasp,
And not let dreaming lead you to disaster,
Nor pity’s fascination loose your grasp;

If you can lock your heart on confidences,
Nor ever needlessly in turn confide;
If you can put behind you all pretenses
Of mock humility or foolish pride:
If you can keep the simple, homely virtue
Of walking right with God – then have no fear
That anything in all the world can hurt you-
And – which is more – you’ll be a Woman, dear.

Either of the above poems may be used to examine what to do and what not do when it comes to character. By their own right, each contains enough virtuous qualities to be an entire character unit!

So, the next time you have a character challenge with your child or simply want to instill more character, consider using poetry! If you have a favorite poem that you think could be used to demonstrate character, please respond to this blog and include the poem, or at least the poet’s name with the title.

God bless in both your poetic and your character-building endeavors,

Beth

Most of us wonder how homeschooling through high school will affect our children, especially if our children think they might like to join the rank and file in public high school instead of continuing to be schooled at home.  We often wish we could look ahead and see how it will turn out before we take that leap of faith. As a follow up to my recent post about what I loved about homeschooling, I would like to share a comment from a current college student who was homeschooled through high school (who just happens to be my daughter). LOL I hope it will prove to be as encouraging to you as it was to me! And thank you, Sweetie, for taking the time and effort to make the comment and for allowing us to post it!

So are you encouraged?!

May God bless your week!

 I have had this fascinating youtube video someone sent me rumbling around in my mind all week. It claims to demonstrate the effects of subliminal advertising, which seems to have mixed reviews in terms of research support (although it has been banned in the US since the mid 70s). If you have six minutes to view it, I think you will find it fascinating as well. (Bear with me, this is leading somewhere.)

The idea behind subliminal advertising and this video is that we are exposed to stimuli that effect our behavior without our conscience mind even being aware that we are affected. If this principle is true, and I suspect it is, then think of the implications! Whether we choose to be or not, we are exposed to all sorts of things, not of our choosing:   immodest dress, rampant materialism, and subtle and not-so-subtle pornography everywhere we go – from the magazine covers within view while standing in line at the grocery check out to television commercials we are bombarded with while sitting in our living rooms. 

As believers and homeschooling parents, we know we have much higher standards than the world has. We know that we have to be careful of what we read, what we watch on television, what we view on the Internet.  But as I have considered this I’ve realized that we still are affected by choices others have made–and we had better recognize that we are! If we are not actively combatting these influences, they will take their toll on us and on our families.

My pastor (Rev. Conrad ‘Buster’ Brown) made three application statements recently that seemed tailor made for this conversation I have had in my head. (I love when God does that!) First he said that we needed to actively "plead for the empowerment and leadership of the Holy Spirit." We know our quest for holiness should not be static, it should be dynamic.  We are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Phil. 2:12.  Going beyond ‘not’ doing something, we are to earnestly seek godliness and holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, Pastor Brown urged us to "understand [our] culture," giving us two quotes that hit home:

"Keep in mind while few Americans possess a biblical worldview, most are immersed in daily exercises of covert, worldview training via the mass media, public law, public school education, the internet and conversations with peers. Only an intentional process designed to develop, integrate, and apply a biblical life lense can protect us from the savage mental and spiritual assault that occurs around us every day. The failure to grasp and live out a biblical worldview can only result in a lifestyle that contradicts God’s perfect and eternal moral and spiritual code that was desgined to foster our relationship with him, each other, and the world he entrusted to us."            

George Barna, Think Like Jesus

"I believe that the challenge of living with popular culture well may be as serious for modern Christians as persecution and plagues were for the saints of earlier centuries…enemies that come loudly and visibly are much easier to fight than those that are undetetectable."                                                                                                                                                               

Ken Myers, All God’s Children in Blue Suede Shoes

Those we and our children spend the most time with and consider our closest friends should be those with whom we have shared values. At home, dinner table conversations should include discussion of the ideas and events we come in contact with and observe in our daily lives and how those things align (or not) with what the Bible describes about how Christians are to live.  Moreover, dialogue often about what it means to be ‘in the world’ but not ‘of the world.’

Thirdly, we are to meditate upon scripture.  We should encourage –in ourselves and our children–regular scripture memorization.  How can we incorporate this into our lives and homeschooling?  One of the easiest ways we have found is to institute a scripture verse or passage to discuss, meditate upon, recite and memorize each week.  Especially when children are younger, fill their minds and hearts with scripture and you will see it bear fruit when they are older! 

Some significant verses to consider:

• For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.  Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.    Job 34: 3-4

• A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.   Prov. 14: 15-16

• Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.    Phil. 4:8                                                                        

• Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.   Jer. 1:5

• My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.    James 1:19-21

• God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.      Heb. 6: 10-12

•  The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,  but the folly of fools is deception.   Prov. 14: 8

   

  So let us remember to be aware of our surroundings and our culture, and to turn to the Holy Spirit and to the Word for help living the lives we are called to live as well as in training our children. From Phil 1: 9-11:  And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

   

  Amen! 

   Dana

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Anna Hawthorne posted a great idea on her blog today– 10 reasons why she loves to homeschool. These are my 10:

• They can run, but they can’t hide. Ha Ha
• I love to be able to mentor and coach my kids.
• Having them at home has allowed us all to be so much closer than we would have been  otherwise! I love our relationships, especially at the high-school-and-above ages.
• It has given us so many treasured memories over the years.
• They have had educations that suited their specific needs and learning styles.
• I have always been a life-long learner and have loved passing that perspective on to them.
• As Christian parents we are fullfiling our command to raise godly generations.
• Homeschooling has peeled away layers and layers of self-centered grunge from my soul. (Still have layers to go, it’s good I have a little longer….)
• It has enabled me to be in a coaching role for newer/younger h’school moms, which has been a blessing.
• Homeschooling keeps my priorities aligned as I strive to be a godly example to our kids.

How about your 10?

Our kids, as well as others, are drawn to a faith that is fresh and alive. In the midst of home schooling, laundry, diapers, housekeeping, ministry, etc., sometimes what we choose to omit from our schedules is regular, daily time with our Lord, to study and meditate on His word, and to pray. As my pastor often reminds his congregation, “We are leaky buckets,” needing to be filled and refilled on a daily basis. And without that daily filling, our faith becomes dry and stale. But how do I fit that in when I’m up half the night with a colicky baby or sick child? I remember a “mom in the Lord” telling me when I asked her that question that sometimes prayer and Bible time are even more important than sleep!

We all know it is a lot of work to homeschool, run a household, serve at church and sometimes even work inside/outside the home. But we must take the time, on a daily basis, to renew our faith and grow as believers. As my daughter says, we always think that if we worked a little bit smarter, harder or faster, we would have more time for our personal study, but it really is a matter of making it the first priority. If Susanna Wesley could talk with us today, I’m sure she would agree!

In Grace Alone,

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The Practice of the Presence of God –

Written by a Carmelite lay-brother over 300 years ago who took the name of Brother Lawrence, this inspiring book touched me because the author was such a quintessential example of a humble, joyful servant.  These comments are from the publisher: As a humble cook, Brother Lawrence learned an important lesson through each daily chore:  The time he spent in communion with the Lord should  be the same, whether he was bustling around in the kitchen, with several people asking questions at the same time–or on his knees in prayer.  He learned to cultivate the deep presence of God so thoroughly in his own heart that he was able to joyfully exclaim, “I am now dong what I will do for all eternity.  I am blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him, and loving Him with my whole heart.”

Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival–

This is an excellent 12 week study about personal and corporate revival, designed to be used in small group study.  From Amazon: Get ready to experience the freedom and joy of an honest and humble heart, true repentance, God’s amazing grace, genuine holiness, a clear conscience, radical forgiveness, sexual purity, and walking in the Spirit. Each week includes five days of individual study, questions for group discussion and interaction, testimonies of changed lives, and ‘Making it Personal’ questions and exercises.

Brokenness: The Heart God Revives (Revive Our Hearts)–

This is another VERY REVEALING  study appropriate for a small group.  I liken this study to peeling an onion, slowly, layer by layer. (Warning: You are the onion!)  This is the first of a series of three called “Revive our Hearts.”  This first one was fantastic–I will let you know when I have finished the other two. From Amazon:  Every great movement of God is preceded by a season of humility and repentance and a time of tearing down walls, of getting honest with God and others about your true spiritual condition.It may be hard. It may hurt. But in the end, God will use your brokenness to restore your ‘first love’ for Jesus, rekindle your spiritual fire, reconcile your relationships, and repair your life.A richer, deeper, more God-filled life is waiting for you. And it all begins with Brokenness.

The Gospel for Real Life (with Study Guide)–

I recently worked through this insightful ‘primer’ of the reformed faith  with a dear friend.  Jerry Bridges does an excellent job of clearly explaining our foundational beliefs in understandable language.  From Amazon: Why do so many believers live in quiet desperation? The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most explosive news of freedom the world has ever heard. Yet, why do so many of His followers experience so little of the gospel’s liberating power? Regrets over our past haunt us, fear and anxiety clutch at us, subtle legalism oppresses us, outright sin entangles us, and we spend much of the day without even thinking of God. Jerry Bridges maintains that the poverty of actual Christian experience is the result of an impoverished understanding of the depths of the gospel itself. The key is not to try a little harder, but to know more fully the incredible work of Christ on the cross-and to live in a more vital awareness of that grace day by day. Bridges does not flinch from the hard facts of human sin and God’s wrath-not exactly popular concepts today. But understanding them is absolutely crucial. For without a knowledge of the depth of our sin, we cannot experience “the unsearchable riches of Christ” that are available to us in the gospel. And when we know those riches, we are empowered to live every day “glorying in a sense of acceptance and the experience of grace.” The gospel is not just for the afterlife, but for today-it is the gospel for real life.

As a home school mom and teacher of home schoolers, I often wonder where we draw the line when it comes to actually home schooling. It seems that some families farm out their children for most subjects and athletics as well. Then there are other families who don’t use any outside resources. I guess this brings me to a question of how we define home schooling. For each family, I would imagine that there’s a different definition to some extent. For the first family described, home schooling might be defined generally as parents having full control over their children’s academic life without the parent doing the actual teaching. For other families, the idea that home schooling requires that the parents act as teachers may seem essential. I have even known families who have home schooled using nannies. Different states have different definitions of home schooling. I believe HSLDA requires members to be responsible for teaching their children at least 51% of the time. Does that mean that only those of us who do so are really home schooling our children? I wouldn’t make that judgment call for anyone. I do think that using outside resources can be very beneficial if you are wise about your choices and feel that there are strong reasons for doing so..

There are any number of reasons that families outsource certain classes for their children, at various ages, including the following:

1. The parent doesn’t feel capable of teaching the course. This is definitely a solid reason for using outside courses. However, be cautious about being too desperate and make sure that the class you choose for your child also meets the needs of your family’s value system and quality of education. 
2. The student desires to take an outside course. Often, by high school, home school students would like a little time away from home. Taking an outside course can offer an opportunity for growth, making the student responsible to another adult, which is a great learning experience. As well, outside courses often also offer a chance to socialize within a structured classroom environment.
3. The instructor of the course is someone  with whom you’d like your child to spend time. I once put Ally in a middle school current events course just because the professor had such a Biblical, eternal worldview and he was a person for whom I have tremendous respect. She learned to examine happenings around the world from a Christian worldview and loved doing it. I think that having other teachers who demonstrate a love for the Lord or a strong faith can be worth more than the actual course content. As well, teachers who are great encouragers can work wonders for a timid child. For some children, they hear encouragement from mom and dad for so long that it doesn’t have the same impact as if it came from an outsider.
4. You have a large family and need help teaching your children. At times, having one or more children participating in outside courses provides the opportunity for you to work with your other children on a deeper level. This can provide a benefit to both the children taking the course and the children at home.

When selecting an outside teacher or course, you’ll want to carefully think through all of the ramifications. Weighing the pros and cons makes a great of sense in this sort of situation. Below of some of the aspects I consider when selecting courses for my children and there are probably even more that are specific to your family’s needs and desires.

• Can you afford the course? It’s sad to have your student start a course and then have to pull him due to the inability to pay. It affects your child, the other children in the class, the teacher and the child that might not have been able to get into the class due to enrollment limits.  Although many families go through financial crisis at some point, it’s important to ascertain ahead of time whether you can really afford the outside lessons for the duration of the course. Be sure you understand ahead of time any books or materials that may add to the expense of the course.
• Is this a course in which your child can succeed? Sometimes, we are overzealous and want something for our children for which they may not be quite ready. I see this often with middle school students and parents wanting them to start high school courses in 6th and 7th grade. This can be appropriate for some students, but often it happens because the parent is worried the class won’t be offered when the child is truly ready to take it. It’s important for your child to succeed away from home. Be sure that he is ready for what the course requires.
• Can you and/or your child afford the time away from home? Parents who haven’t used outside resources previously often underestimate the time it takes to travel. As well, most courses require a serious amount of homework time that will take away from family and other studies. Be sure that you have a complete understanding of what your student will be expected to accomplish outside of the classroom. Also take into account whether there are outside projects and such that require meeting with other students in addition to class time.
• Is the instructor someone you want teaching your child? Outside instructors often have a tremendous impact, both positive and negative, on home school students because they are presented as immediate authority. My daughter loved every person who taught her. She had tremendous respect for her teachers and for good reason; they were awesome people who deserved her respect. But I was very particular about to whom I gave that authority. When we visited a local college, considering Ally for dual enrollment, my impression of the instructors was not very positive. I felt she wasn’t ready to be immersed in that environment even with her maturity level. Ally would’ve loved to have gone to college with those credits and she was certainly capable of the work required, but the possible impact of such instructors at an early age concerned more than receiving credits.

If you haven’t used outside teachers previously, there are some practical steps you can take when deciding who to use and what courses to select. Other parents and students can be excellent resources if you know they have the same value system as your family. When my son wanted to take drama and Spanish this year, I not only went to trusted parents who had put their children with these teachers, but I also interviewed students to see what they felt they learned if anything. Students will often be more straightforward and will point out both the positive and negative aspects. As well, they are actually in the classroom. Do be choosy about who you approach. Some people are very critical no matter how valuable the course or the teacher, and try to talk to at least 3-4 different people Of course, speak with students who are responsible and studious.

Consider interviewing the teacher ahead of time to be sure that you have the same philosophies concerning instruction and spiritual issues. I once spent three hours with an instructor on the phone and he was certain my daughter was ready for his course. In the end, although I believed him to be a godly and talented man, I felt that at the time he would certainly overwhelm my daughter who was several years younger than his average student.

Preview the curriculum used in the class. Don’t assume that a Christian teacher will use Christian curriculum. Most teachers use what they’re most comfortable teaching. I write my own curriculum and design my own courses and parents often ask me for a booklist beforehand. If you want a certain curriculum, be sure to connect with the instructor before enrolling your student.

Finally, determine what you want your child to achieve through the course and decide if it’s possible using a specific instructor and curriculum. If you don’t have a clear view going in, the waters may become muddy and you’ll end up frustrated by the end if your expectations weren’t met.

Once you have your child in an outside course, there are a few things you can do to assist your child and the teacher.

1. Communicate well with the instructor. Even with high school students, it’s important for the parents to understand what is going on with the course and the student. If you have concerns or family issues that pop up, communicate as quickly as possible for the best results. Most instructors are very sympathetic and will work with you and your student if they know what is happening ahead of time.
2. Pray for the class and the instructor. Teaching, as we all know, is a challenging calling and burn out rates are high. Prayer can make all of the difference! Letting the instructor know that you’re praying is a sweet gesture and most encouraging.
3. Encourage your student to do his best and assist, as necessary, particularly with organization. As students take more courses, they become more proficient at managing paperwork and such. Early on, your child may need some guidance in this area so he is organized and prepared for classes.

Utilizing outside resources can be truly beneficial for home school families. As always, prayerfully consider any such steps you might take with your children and be sure you understand both the positive and negative possibilities. As well, once you have put your child in an outside class, commit to making it best experience for everyone involved by praying and be involved.

Many blessings on your week!

Beth

What do you do when a your child has a bad attitude about doing his schoolwork, his chores, or anything else you’ve asked him to do?  I confess, my initial reaction is not usually pleasant, although I am working on that.  Of course, it has be the child’s problem, right? After all, I am the mature one…

Actually, over the years I have learned that the most profitable thing to do first is examine is my own attitude and expectations. Am I giving this child enough help and attention, or am I more focused on other tasks I want to accomplish during school time? Am I short-tempered or critical because I’m in a hurry or unhappy about being “interrupted, again?” Do I have too many other activities and commitments to be able to focus on my children and their education? (Ouch!) If this makes you wince, pray for yourself and your child(ren), and ask God to give you insight and wisdom into this situation. Believe me, He will do it.

Secondly, talk with your child about his attitude, and really listen to what he says. Is she hungry? Tired? Lonely? Overwhelmed? Sometimes there is a physical or psychological reason that can easily be dealt with by a snack and/or a little focused attention. If it involves more than that, at least you will convey to your child that he is more important to you than the completion of his grammar lesson.

Thirdly, determine if this is a character issue.  If it is, it’s critical to identify and take steps to remedy the problem.  God’s Word is very clear on the issues of anger and rebellion, and I believe the heart condition of a child is more important than his math facts. Teach scripture and train in righteousness.  Have him memorize pertinent verses and hold him, your other children, and yourself, to a standard of kind and cheerful speech.  Teach and reteach that “obedience” is the following: when you give an instruction, a child looks you in the eye and says “Yes, ma’am,” (I’m living in South Carolina) or “Yes, Mom,” and then immediately begins the task.

As well, this is a prudent time to get the principal involved. Whether Dad helps with academics or not, it’s critical for him to be aware, involved, and supportive of your goals and struggles with each of your students.Your children need to know they will answer to Dad for a poor attitude or negligent work.  One of the systems  we’ve had in place in our home during the ’younger years’ to facilitate communication is a weekly “Presentation Night.” Children have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned that week and present reports, and Dad has a chance to praise and encourage, as well as peruse any test papers and ask about any substandard work.

Lastly, use positive motivation and incentive.  Try to catch your student doing something positive, such as working quietly, completing an assignment independently or quickly, speaking kindly, or having a helpful attitude with a sibling.  When those occasions occur, we generally make do with a warm hug and verbal recognition, but you may want to take it to the next level.  A system of tally marks or stickers per incidence with a “store” of small items, where those tallies can be redeemed at the end of the week, may work well with your child.

With realistic expectations, a calm, organized and attentive mom, consistent training and good modeling, you should be able to see improvement in your child’s attitude. And if you are anything like me, you might even grow a bit in the process.

Still learning,