1. The Candy Monster came. He/she/it had to leave an IOU since he/she/it did not have time to make it to the store. Newt and I went to one of our favorite bookstores today to redeem it. She got a paperback version of one of the Harry Potter books. We have the whole set in hardcover, but Newt thinks paperback is “more comfortable” to read. 2. I finished Newt’s quilt last week: 3. I have the best friends. 4. Confession: I love real food, but while running errands today, I stopped at Taco Bell. I ate two Taco Supremes. I wish I hadn’t done it, but I can’t say that it will never happen again. 5. Speaking of tacos and confessions, I really like Chipotle. No one else in my family liked eating there, so I might have manipulated Newt into changing her mind about them by showing her this video:
6. Newt likes Chipotle now. 7. Another confession: the Candy Monster takes the Halloween candy and gives it to Santa, who uses it to fill stockings. Recycling is a good thing. 8. Newt and I sat on the driveway for an hour today watching a man replace my windshield. We even took photos. He said had never experienced customers like us – I guess he doesn’t work with many homeschoolers? 9. We ignored a science project in progress to watch said windshield replacement. I was tired (perhaps from the Taco Bell lunch?) and just sitting on the driveway seemed far more appealing. 10. Number 9 was another confession, wasn’t it? It feels good to get these things off my chest.
I don’t homeschool for religious reasons. I think it’s completely possible to send your children to school and still help them to develop a love for and faith in God. I see it all the time in the good people I know. However since Newt is home with me, I find that we naturally have many more wonderful opportunities to discuss our faith than we might otherwise have. I’m ever so grateful for those opportunities, and I actively seek them out. One way I do so is by trying to make a study of the scriptures a part of each day. Here are a few of the things that I have found helpful in this endeavor.
Set the Example First, I think it is important for Newt to see me studying the scriptures. For years, I have had a goal to spend a little time studying every day. I used to get up early to study in private, before everyone else was up. About a year ago, I decided to try instituting “personal study time” for a half an hour or so right after breakfast. I told Newt she could quietly read anything she liked, but that I would use that time for my scripture study. Most days, she chooses to study hers as well. Even better, she often initiates a conversation about what she has read, asking questions, sharing her thoughts and asking about my reading. We have been able to have some wonderful moments in these conversations.
Journaling and Scripture Marking I tend to view my scriptures as living, working notebooks. I write in the margins and underline passages that I find meaningful. Here is another place where I see my example rubbing off on Newt. She has begun to do the same thing. After borrowing my favorite scripture marking pencil for the umpteenth time, she was excited to find her own in her Easter basket last year. Newt has a tendency to mark more than she leaves blank, but she is reading – and thrilled to have such a clear visual of her progress. She also received a set of scripture marking stickers and has loved looking up the passages where the stickers should be placed. Our sticker set covers both the Old and New Testaments, as well as the uniquely LDS scriptures.
Another way I make the scriptures my own, is by journaling what I read. I made myself a scripture journal based on these instructions. (Hat-tip to Jessica, thanks for sharing!) Though Newt doesn’t have one of her own yet, she has been very interested in mine. I may have to make one for her for Christmas.
Memorizing Scripture Simply Charlotte Mason has a great way to memorize scripture, or anything else that you may be working on. (Jessica also found this one first.) We are currently using it to memorize the LDS 13 Articles of Faith, and then plan to begin working on some New Testament scriptures. The process is simple: write the verses you wish to memorize on index cards. Place them in the front of a file box to hold until you are ready to use them. Create dividers labeled Daily, Odd, Even, the days of the week and dates of the month. Move the verse you are currently working on to behind the Daily divider. Each day you spend a few minutes simply reciting the verse on that card. Simply Charlotte Mason describes what you do next, “As you master the verses behind the Daily divider, advance that card and move the replaced verses farther back in the box. So when you have memorized a Daily, move it behind either the Odd or Even divider. Move the verse that was in that Odd or Even slot back to a Day of the Week slot. And move the verse it replaces in the Day of the Week slot back behind a numbered divider. You can then put a new verse or passage to memorize behind the Daily divider and you’re ready to go again. In this way, you will review a new verse every day, then graduate to every other day, once a week, and finally, once a month. Use the system every day of the month and you will review all the verses you know every month of the year! Of course, not all months have thirty-one days; the verses behind 31 will be reviewed seven months out of the year. We recommend putting verses that you know quite well behind that number since it gets reviewed less frequently.” I have to admit, we don’t remember to do this every single day, but we are still making great progress with it. Today Newt memorized a passage that has been particularly difficult for her and she was so proud of herself. It was a good feeling for both of us.
Even though I didn’t choose to homeschool based on religious reasons, I am so happy that our faith can be such a big part of out homeschooling day.
How do you approach religious studies at home? Any methods or curriculum that you particularly enjoy?
I’m not crazy about refined sugar, but you probably already knew that didn’t you? High fructose corn syrup is even worse. And GMO soy? shudder No wonder Halloween is so scary. The candy could kill you. {Look mom! I spy an overly dramatic statement.} However… I love trick or treating. I went every year until I got married, wearing a ghostly sheet over my head to disguise my far-too-old face. So how do I reconcile my desire to feed my family well with my love of going door to door begging for free-candy? I don’t even try. Here’s what we do: We eat good food, real food the rest of the day. Then we spend the evening feasting on candy. After graphing it on a bar chart, of course. We are homeschoolers, you know. The next morning, the leftover candy is gone, taken by the Candy Monster. In it’s place will be a new book, art supplies or some other such treat. You know, the kind of treat that won’t kill you… Mwha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Happy Halloween!
A treat for you: I’ve added a few new items to my etsy shop over the weekend. Would you do me a favor and drop in? And maybe share your opinions? Since I love my readers so much, I’ve got a little treat for you. Use the code SIMPLE at checkout for 20% off your order. Speaking of my shop, I’m working some more nativities, but I keep selling them before I can get them listed. If you are interested in one, let me know and I’ll put you on my list. I charge $40, plus $3 shipping in the US.
Perhaps this should be titled The Sad, Lonely, Neglected Reading Chair. I haven’t had a lot of time for reading and Newt, well… she has taken up residence behind the chair. She’s made a cozy spot in the corner with pillows, blankets, and piles of books. I can’t decide if she’s doing it to make a fort, or to hide from a book-eating Pepper – or even a did-you-finish-your-chores-yet mama…
What I’m Reading The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert That Awakened America I lead a history club for 9- 12 year old girls. Each month the girls study a new woman from history and we meet for discussion and activities. Our next meeting will be about Marion Anderson, so I’m studying up. Her story is fascinating! She was a famous African-American singer in the 1940s. When the Daughters of the American Revolution blocked her from performing in Constitution Hall because of her skin color, Elinor Roosevelt arranged an Easter Sunday concert for Marion on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. More than 75,000 crowded in to hear her, with millions listening to the radio broadcast. Take that DAR! I’m looking forward to knowing her better.
What I’m Reading to Newt Marjorie Pay Hinkley – Letters This is a collection of letters written throughout the life of Marjorie Pay Hinkley, wife of Gordon B. Hinkley, the former president of our church. Her letters span 50 years, taking Marjory from young wife and mother to grandmother. Her letters are peppered with wit and good humor and full of faith. A great, uplifting little book.
What Newt is Reading Newt has recently become fascinated with geek culture. She has made a list of things to learn about so that she can be “an awesome girl-geek”. I’d say, judging by the letters she writes me in elvish, she’s pretty well there. Her reading will just make her awesome geekiness a bit more informed and well-rounded.
Exploring Creation With Astronomy We actually used this for almost a year’s worth of science study a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I was happy to see Newt pick it up again. One note: occasionally some of the religious parts of this book did not mesh exactly with our beliefs. I found those parts to be excellent opportunities to talk about differences and respecting the beliefs of others.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban I read all seven Harry Potter Books to Newt a couple of years ago. (It took ten months, in case you were wondering.) I love seeing Newt read and enjoy them on her own.
That’s it for use this week. Between cider making, quilting, and the new puppy, there just wasn’t as much time for reading as I’d like. Maybe next week my reading chair will get a bit more use.
Have you read any good books lately?
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No misses ordered roses, Simon. Marge Lets Norah see Sharon’s telegram. Rise to Vote, Sir! At first look, these sentences have nothing in common but turn them around and you’ll see that they are each palindromes. Warning: this post contains the word palindrome at least 42,000 times. Give or take… A palindrome is a word, sentence or number that is exactly the same forwards and backwards. We celebrated Newt’s eleventh birthday last week. Since 11 is a palindrome and so is Newt’s real name, Hannah, we spent some time talking about this funny phenomenon. In the course of our discussion, I realized that there is a special palindromic date coming up just next week: November 2, 2011. In the US, that date is written as 11-02-2011. Turn it backwards and you have… 11-02-2011! Palindromic dates are a pretty rare event; there are only 38 in the entire 21st century. Since the next date like this isn’t until 2020, I think this is a perfect occasion to play around with palindromes.
Here are some ideas Newt and I came up with:
Read Too Hot to Hoot: Funny Palindrome Riddles and solve the riddles together. They start out easy. What is a three letter word for Mother? Don’t let those early ones fool you, though. Can you figure this one out? When a patient needs help in a hurry, what do the women in white do?*
Edited to Add: One more for your reading list – We just read Mom and Dad Are Palindromes and really enjoyed it. There are lots of palinromes hidden in the story. It’s fun trying to find them all.
Play with Palindromic Numbers Talk about palindromic numbers, like 33, 212, or 46,064. If a number is not a palindrome, did you know you turn it into one by adding? Here’s how: Take a number, say 42, and add it’s reverse, 24. Is the product a palindrome? 42 + 24 = 66 Yes. That is a one-step palindrome. Now let’s try 468. 468 + 864 = 1332 1332 is not a palindrome, yet. Add it’s reverse. 1332 + 2331 = 3663 That would be a two step palindrome. I think that every number will eventually reach a palindromic sum, but some may take awhile. 789 takes four steps. 56,814 takes seven. 196 takes 4,147 steps to reach its eventual palindrome! After playing around with numbers for awhile, try charting them as suggested in Family Math: Print out a 100s chart. Color all the palindromes one color: all the one digit numbers, 11, 22, etc. Then find and color all the one step palindromes a different color: 12 + 21 = 33 – one step. Continue through as many numbers/steps you like. Try to figure out which number will take the most steps to become a palindrome.
Palindromic Names Tell your kids that Mom, Dad, sis, Elle, and Bob are all palindromes. Try to find more names that are the same forwards and backwards. Ask, does anyone you know have a palindromic name?
Eat a Palidrome Make your meals palindromic that day. You could start the day with ice-cream, then eggs and toast for breakfast, an apple for a mid-morning snack, soup and sandwiches for lunch, another apple for an afternoon snack, eggs and toast for dinner and ice-cream for dessert. Be sure to chart your meals and watch for the palindrome. Ask your kids, does it matter what we have for lunch? Why or why not? Depending on their ages, this could also lead into a discussion of odd and even. If you don’t want to spend the whole day’s meals on palindromes, try making a palindromic sandwich: bread, peanut-butter, jam, peanut-butter, bread.
Palindromes vs. Symmetry Discuss how palindromes and symmetry are similar concepts.
Remember all those apples I got (for free!) last week? Guess what I made with them yesterday. If you read the title of this post, you have a pretty good chance of getting it right. Yup, I made some apple cider. You’re so smart! Why yes, I did take a picture of my apple cider in a homemade light box. What? Is that weird? My friend invited me over yesterday to use her antique cider press. It works just as well today as it did when it was new, sometime in the 1800s. The process is pretty much the same now too. First, wash and quarter your apples, then dump them in the hopper. Then you need to spit on your hands and get to work. We did not actually spit on our hands. Turn the crank to grind up the apples. Apple patterned apron, optional. Turning that crank is a real work-out! Make sure you have lots of help so you can take breaks give others a chance at the fun.
The ground apples fall into a barrel with wide gaps between the slots. Once full, push the barrel forward so that it sits under the press. Cover with barrel lid. Turn the wheel so the screw-thingy (technical term) presses the lid down tight on the apples. Look at the way the pressure is squeezing out all of that lovely cider! Make sure you have lots of containers to catch it all. Interesting fact: when you first press out the cider, it is a light color, more like apple juice. Within minutes it begins to oxidize and darken. There is nothing like fresh pressed apple cider. It’s rich, sweet and tangy. What we don’t plan to drink right away, I’ll put in the freezer and jealously horde to save for another day. My friends and I still have more apples. We’re planning to get together to do cider again next week. That should just give the blisters enough time to heal…
Have you ever pressed your own cider? How did you do it?
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and solve the riddles together. 
and really enjoyed it. There are lots of palinromes hidden in the story. It’s fun trying to find them all.
Print out a 
