The Tale of The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew: 2015

POLARIS

One thing that I love about homeschooling is that I get to learn so much. I really love teaching my kids lessons from "The Family School" no matter how hard it is. It is mainly for me so that I can learn and hope my kids will join in on the fun.

I've been thinking about the north star lately. We had an awesome lesson on constellations and the north star the other day. I loved it. I gave the kids each a piece of paper that they poked holes into and we created our own constellations. Then we went into the closet and shone a flashlight through the holes. It actually was pretty cool.

Then we watched this video. Which was amazing.

Then the older kids were getting antsy and I sent them off on their own to do their own research on specific constellations that are in this book:

These are not just your ordinary coloring books, they are packed with information about the constellations and the bonus is that you get to color them.

My older kids each decided to record themselves giving an oral report into the ipad or phone on 4 constellations. Then I had them find another word for "constant" and look up a scripture that related.

They both found that another word for constant was "eternal". Dallin shared the scripture in

D&C 3:2 that says..

"2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round."

So, this is not our typical day, but for me the inspiration was high, the learning was amazing and the spirit was strong. I would call this a victory.

I learned some amazing things about the north star that I want to share.

First, the word constellation derives from the word "Constant" which means unchanging or eternal.

The north star stays still in the same spot and has been in that same spot for thousands of years. In the scriptures the Lord tells us that the stars were given to us for signs.

The constellations have been the same for thousands of years and revolve around the north star throughout the night. Can you believe I didn't know this. I was so excited to learn this.

So, in relating this to my life. I like to relate the north star to my constants, things that never change.

The gospel,

The scriptures.

The importance of families.

So, when life is changing and the world is spinning I feel that we need to hold on to that which is constant and we can stand strong and firm.

I loved this analogy of the north star and am so thankful to have learned this and have some constants in my life.

JOY

WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?

I recently read an article about early childhood education in Finland. I found it fascinating.

The title of the article is actually " The Joyful Illiterate Kindergartners of Finland", by Tim Walker

“Play is a very efficient way of learning for children,” she told me. “And we can use it in a way that children will learn with joy.”

The word “joy” caught me off guard—I’m certainly not used to hearing the word in conversations about education in America, where I received my training and taught for several years. But Holappa, detecting my surprise, reiterated that the country’s early-childhood education program indeed places a heavy emphasis on “joy,” which along with play is explicitly written into the curriculum as a learning concept. “There’s an old Finnish saying,” Holappa said. “Those things you learn without joy you will forget easily.”

http://taughtbyfinland.com/the-joyful-illiterate-kindergartners-of-finland/#.ViMvBSQWz7h.facebook

Isn't it sad that we aren't taught in our modern American educational system that "Joy" is so important. I find it interesting that Finland emphasizes teaching their children joy when they are little and then focuses on rigorous academics in the later more mature years. Finnish students have actually consistently scored the top scores on international tests for 15 year olds.

We in America are still stuck on the fact that we want our 5 year olds to be reading and forcing them to do hours of tedious work when they are little and their minds are growing and developing.

This first dawned on me as I watched my kids play at the park. This is the first time that they've been given a body that they've been waiting for millions of years. It only makes sense that they need to experience the world by smelling, tasting, listening, touching and seeing. Maria Montessori and Charlotte Mason knew this as well.

Not only do our kids need to experience joy. We all need to experience joy. Find what makes us happy, find our purpose and find joy. That is what Heavenly Father wants for all of us.

When my kids were little I read the book entitled, "Teaching Your Children Joy", by Richard and Linda Eyre. I loved this book and I used it as my main resource in raising my little kids.

I believe that we are never to old to experience joy. What brings me joy is music. So, the other day we blasted some music and danced the morning away. I love dancing with my munchkins. Also, I love to be outside, so we try to go outside as much as possible.

To anyone that finds themselves in a rut. I say.

"Do what you love, and love what you do".

It is actually not what I say, but what Heavenly Father says. He basically is giving us permission to have joy. Make the most out of life and enjoy it to the fullest.

FAMILY

"The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”^{(from "The Proclamation to the World on the Family")}

^{This is the second reason that we decided to do what we do. I love my family. I loved my kids before I had them. I remember travelling all over Europe and looking for books that I would share with my kids someday. I bought things in college that I would share with my kids someday. I thought about them all of the time and was so excited to be a Mom. It truly is my greatest joy and where I find my purpose. With my kids gone at school all day, I felt that our family was missing out on so many experiences together. Now that my oldest is almost 12, I can honestly say that time flies and why not enjoy it with the ones}

we love the most.

^{Many say, "I could never spend all day with my kids". "They drive me crazy". Well, the truth is, they probably drive teachers crazy too. So, why not learn to love our kids and to deal with them just as teachers do. We also have the benefit that we love our kids and I'm sure we love our kids more than their teachers do. Also, we have the opportunity to receive personal revelation for each of our kids. Teachers don't have this. We can guide our kids with the Lord's help and learn to deal with them.}

^{I believe that we as parents are responsible for training our children. If we turn our children over to others to train them, then we are missing out on a lot.}

^{I have learned to love my kids and my family in ways that I never knew possible. I have learned to experience life with my kids. If we feel like going for bike rides, we do it. We read together, discuss together, learn together, cook together and have such a fun time. I would be so sad if I had missed out on these opportunities and experiences. Nothing brings me more joy than to watch my kids learn and grow. I really feel that I am creating a bit of "Heaven on Earth".}

I LOOOOVEEE This quote and have adopted this as one of my motto's. This is the second reason why I homeschool.(to be continued)

Why We Do What We Do????

What??? You Homeschool??? That's crazy!!! .....Me: I know...

So, what in the heck made me decide that I wanted to homeschool. I've been wanting to write this post for quite some time now. It seems that most people think that they could never homeschool. But, as I listened to the last October 2015 General Conference it was confirmed to me time and time again that this is what the Lord wants me to do. Is it easy?? No. Is it worth it??? yes.

My favorite saying from growing up says...

I read a section in The Book of Mormon for LDS families that sums up to me why the Lord led me to do what I do. I can't quote it word for word and I don't even know who said it. I should find it and copy it. Basically it says that the holy ghost will inspire us to do that which the Lord believes will bring us the most joy.

This is powerful. Many people don't feel inspired to homeschool, so, maybe it isn't what will bring you the most joy. But, if you feel inspired and fear or doubt is holding you back, well those are not feelings of the spirit.

I love that scripture. I truly believe that the Lord believed that homeschool is what the Lord believed will bring me the most joy. I am going to try and sum up this joy using the 4 f's. Faith, Family, fulfillment, and food.

These 4 F's are actually something that I am willing to give my life for. Well, homeschooling, you pretty much have to give your life for what you believe in, if you don't give your life it will be hard. But, you're giving your old life for a much better new life, a life of fulfillment and joy and such fun times with your kids.

So, here it goes...

FAITH

I belong to the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" . I love the gospel and I love Jesus Christ. I have always wanted to share my faith with my kids, and my kids were in public school for 4 years. I tried to do a family devotional each day and I thought this was enough. But, I just kept on feeling that they needed more. I mean they spend 6 hours a day 5 days a week for 10 months out of the year away from home in a place where they don't even let you mention the name of "God". They might be ok or they might not..

In my extended family, I see that they have not been ok. I have cousins who grew up going to church each Sunday and well, they are atheist. Could it be a result of spending so much time in a secular world?? I don't know, but definitely caused me to ponder. I know, homeschooling isn't a guarantee, but it is the best way that I can do all that I can do to share my beliefs with my kids, and I wanted to do "all that I can do". I wanted to be able to discuss spiritual things throughout our day. When they are in school it really is more like 8 hours, because they spend 1 hour getting ready for school and coming home, then they have homework, and well, where does the time go.

I felt that homeschooling would give us more of a chance to feel the spirit and to relate everything that we learn to the eternal truths of the gospel. Guess what... It is true. As I discuss math with my kids we can talk about how Heavenly Father used math to create the world, anything that we learn can be related to the gospel and I love it. This to me alone is worth it. I wanted my kids to have a solid foundation in the gospel in an increasingly secular world. I want them to feel the spirit at home and to make my home a holy place.

Finally, in "The Family, A Proclamation to the World " a proclamation to the world released by the first presidency of our church it says that "the mother's primary responsibility is to nurture her children." The definition of nurture isn't to tell them to do what their teacher tells them to do, but to help them grow and discover their own individual worth and to teach them. I think of nurturing a plant, we need to stay close to it and water it each day especially while it is little. I believe that the best time to guide children is while they're young and malleable. The saying "it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks".. is so true.

stay tuned for the rest of this post....
(to be continued)

Henry Ford

Right now my boys are in Michigan. In preparation for this trip we decided that we'd read this book about Henry Ford. It was amazing!!!

I know most people think it's crazy to teach your kids at home, but it's little moments like these that make it all worth it.

Right now, they have the opportunity to fly to Michigan and visit Greenfield Village.

Greendfield Village is a little Village that Henry Ford created to preserve history. He knew that the mass production of Automobile's completely changed America. He wanted to preserve America as he knew it. He collected houses from the town that he grew up in and put them together in this town that people can visit. He even had the home of Thomas Edison hauled to Michigan from New Jersey.

Thomas Edison was a great mentor and example to Henry Ford. He really looked up to him, and Thomas Edison encouraged Henry Ford to not give up. My kids already loved Thomas Edison, so, when we read about this, they were so excited.

We learned so much about how our country used to be without cars and how Henry Ford changed America with his invention and perseverance. Studying about him gave us an opportunity to discuss what it takes to succeed. We decided that you need to never give up.

His wife Clara was a great example of a wife that stands by her husband. We talked about the kind of wife that my boys want to marry and the kind of wife that my girls want to be. Believe in your husband support him, and make him feel good about himself.

Now, my boys are so excited to be in Michigan visiting the house where Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb. They are also visiting Henry Fords home and his school house.

It is just so much fun to learn with my kids. I'm so grateful for the chance that we have to learn together and the discussions that we can have as we discuss great people like Henry Ford.

Dallin's Book Reviews

Dallin has read so many interesting books this year. Some not so interesting but worth mentioning. I wanted to post some reviews for him for future reference. So here goes the list of books and reviews done by Dallin The Great!!!

1. Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

Review: This book was a great book! I really liked when they built a luxury treehouse for calm days and I also liked when they built a giant cavehouse. It was really cool when they trained the ostriches and the hawk.

I highly recommend this book to everyone that can read chapter books up until your dead.

Lesson learned: They needed to work together to survive.

2. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
This was a great book!! I liked how fast Black Beauty was and she was able to save someone's life and almost kill her drunk rider. I recommend this book to everybody.

3. Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary
This was a very exciting book!! I loved when he went fishing with his Dad and his friends and caught a giant Salmon with his bare hands. I definately recommend this book.