Homeschooling

The Father's Daughters

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:7

On this page:

Preparing for Graduation
Homeschool Cooking Class - Rachel Mitchell
Studying History Chronologically
Teaching Our Children To Be Servants

Preparing for Graduation

On May 25, 2005, our daughter, Sarah, graduated from High School. It was a bittersweet time for me as I prepared for this monumental event in our lives. I would like to share with you some of the process.

In homeschooling the girls, we have set standards which they must attain in order to receive a diploma. Sarah has accumulated over 27 "credits" in her schoolwork. She has taken the ACT twice and earned a score that will enable her to go to college should she ever decide to do so. We were thrilled to learn that she ranked especially high and I must admit that it was a moment of deep satisfaction for us all.

So, how do you prepare a graduation ceremony for homeschooled children? Like all children, the ultimate goal in school is that wonderful diploma. I have found that a company in Brewton, Alabama is excellent in their work: http://www.milligans.com .We ordered Haley's diploma there years ago and were very pleased. This is also where we purchase the caps and gowns that the graduates wear during the ceremony. This past year we awarded Sarah an honor’s sash and Milligan's carries these as well.

Every graduation ceremony is different because the children and the parents are different. Our ceremonies tend to be more of a celebration of the growth of the children and what they have accomplished in their lives so far and not just an acknowledgement of their academic achievements. Each graduate will present something that is important to them: a speech, a recital of a musical ability, or whatever the Lord lays upon their heart.

Sarah gave a speech in Sign Language as well as tape recorded verbally. Sarah understands that her giftings and callings are from the Lord and she desires to bring glory to her Heavenly Father through these gifts. Along with these offerings, Sarah's grandfather, Bruce Burrell, gave the Charge to the Graduates.

One of the most moving times during our ceremony is a Power Point display showcasing Sarah from the time she was an infant to her cap and gown photograph. It is a very emotional time for us all as we watched the growth of this precious one and see the distinct and beautiful way the Lord has brought her to maturity. So often we don't realize the changes in our children through the years. We catch glimpses when we know that they are indeed growing up but to be able to see the miraculous life that has rushed by so quickly is truly an awesome thing.

Our program began and ended with prayer - a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to the Father in Heaven. For without His tender mercies and constant guidance, we would never have been able to make it this far. Following the ceremony there was a reception. Sarah had a table on which she displayed her mementos, pictures, awards and the like. One of my favorite parts was the binders that showed a sample of the work that she has done, beginning with their first attempts at writing their “ABCs” to their final reports.

It is a time for laughter and tears as we say good-bye to this little girl who dreaded math and cheered for Columbus as he first saw land. The midnight moments when we all went outside to see the meteor showers or the time when we first saw the rings of Saturn and the silent tears when trying to figure our linear equations or ratios!

Even now, I know that she is past those sweet, snuggly, "pile-up on the couch and read to me" moments. The time has passed for me to remind Sarah that she must write neatly for me to be able to read her work or to spell correctly. When did the clock run out? I must not have been paying attention!

But all is not lost, the work was worthwhile and Erin and Olivia still have some years left and I will be able to laugh and cry and challenge them until one day we order diplomas for them as well. Let's not think about that now though. Let's think about that tomorrow!!

Matthew 6:34

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

Homeschooling Cooking Class

Guest Article - Rachel Mitchell

My son Lee has always struggled with reading, and math. He

is a "right brain" child. During the summer before the third

grade, I did a lot of researching and praying about changing

the way I did things. I decided Charlotte Mason's "gentle art

of learning" sounded like a good idea. I do not follow her

ideas exactly but I was able to glean much from the many

websites and book I purchased. One idea I ran across was

dedicating one day a week to art, poetry, music, and nature

study. I thought why not cooking. After all, cooking is an art.

It did take some time before we actually started the cooking

class. This actually turned out to be a good thing. Lee

needed a change in the schedule as we have been doing a

tremendous amount of remedial work in the areas of reading,

spelling and math and have not had much time for extra

curricula. One day after perusing the "Shepherd's Hill"

web pages, I was once again inspired to instate our

"Art Appreciation" day. We started by deciding to do

a family geography dinner, including my sister and her

family once a month. In addition, if there is a particular

holiday that month, we will study that. These are both

conducted on Fridays. (We just completed a wonderful

short study on George Washington and the war of Trenton

in honor of President's Day.) I then asked Lee in passing

would he be interested in a cooking class after we

finished our work on Friday mornings. I really did not

have to ask, I knew what the answer would be. He was
enthusiastic and understood that if he does not cooperate

and does not get his work done that morning, there will be

no cooking class.

We started our first cooking class with a wonderful

recipe, Spiced Moravian Cookies. In class, I attempt

to explain every step and why things are in the order

they are, and what the ingredient does. I also let him

start tasting from the beginning to see how the new
ingredient affects the taste of the particular recipe. The

fun thing about these cookies is all the different spices, in

particular black pepper. He is learning how important

the spices and flavorings are to the particular recipe.

Whenever someone tasted the cookies, we made him

or her guess the secret ingredient. He is learning the
proper way to handle the electric mixer and why adding

flour and turning it on high is not a good idea. That is

one lesson that usually only takes once. He is learning

to identify the different measurements on the measuring

cups and measuring spoons. He is learning to read

the recipe and things have an order and a reason for
them. (What a good life lesson!) In addition, he has

learned how to set the temperature and timer on the

oven and oven safety. He has learned about proper

placement of the cookies on the cookie sheet and
used a small ice cream scoop to drop almost 65

chocolate chip cookies! I must say with much

diligence and patience.

Another blessing we have experienced since beginning

our cooking class is that my dear sister will come over

on Fridays and we have tea and cookies. I have told

Lee that we will not always make cookies. We will

have to move on to other deserts or foods. However, I

do not know how well that will go over with my sister.

I do take our cooking classes seriously. I look at this

as I am not "just baking cookies" with Lee, but I am

conducting a cooking class to one of the most important

people I know (besides my Lord Jesus Christ). I find it
works out better for us if we set a scheduled time for

these lessons or they would probably not happen. If

I have any choice, I do not schedule anything, and

I remind my dear husband that I am not available

for appointments on Friday morning. I am instructing a
cooking class.

Moravian Spice Cookies
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 egg yolk
¼-cup molasses
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp grated nutmeg
½ tsp ground allspice or cloves (I use cloves)
1 tsp finely ground pepper (preferably white -

I used black)

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium

speed to beat butter and brown sugar until light

and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, molasses, and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda,

salt, and spices.

Beat flour and spices together with molasses mixture

until well blended. Refrigerate for at least one our

or until firm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On waxed

paper, roll dough into very thin (1/8 inch) rectangle.

(I used wax paper on top and bottom-every few
rolls I would remove paper and flip dough so it didn't

stick). (I put back into refrigerator a few more

minutes after rolling.) Using sharp knife or pastry

cutter, Slice into 1 ½ inch squares. (I used a spatula
to remove from wax paper.)

Place on ungreased baking sheets and bake for

8 - 10 minutes or until set but edges are not dark.

Cool briefly on pan, then remove to wire rack.

Store in airtight container. Makes eight dozen

cookies (I don't think mine made that many.)

Thanks Rachel - this is excellent!!!

Olivia Churning Butter

Studying History Chronologically

Have you ever wondered why the school systems seem to teach History in such a disjointed way? It has always been a mystery to me why history was such a secondary subject. If we do not understand what has happened through the course of history how can we understand the future? Even the Holy Scriptures show that we are to learn by example from the past.

For our family, we have learned that to study History chronologically is the best and most coherent way. We take it in 4-year cycles:

Ancient History - Creation to 400 AD

Medieval History to the Reformation - 400 AD to 1400/1500 AD

Exploration and the Founding of America - 1400 to 1800

American History - 1800 to the present

If you start this with your first grader you will go through the cycle 3 times ending with American History in the 12th grade when you would be doing Government and Economics. This also makes for 1 full cycle in the High School years. It works well.

If you aren't starting out with a 1st grader, then begin wherever you are. Just begin at the beginning. This method teaches the line - the continual flow of history so that your children can understand how each period connects to the other. We are in the fourth time of going through the cycles and I can tell you that it works!!!! It is fascinating to watch them "catch" the flow.

To help you understand a bit better how it works let me expound on the concept:

Ancient History - Creation to 400 AD

What better place to begin than at the beginning! What this period will contain is: Creation, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Israel, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and the Roman Empire. We have done short studies on Ancient China and India as well. Not as much time is devoted to these two cultures as they were so separated from the rest of the world until the Silk Road in the Medieval Times. We used these 7 cultures as the basis of our studies and we divided the school year to study them. We did not spend as much time on Mesopotamia as the others as there is little information, but we did spend about 2 weeks on it.

Medieval History (Middles Ages) - 400 AD to 1300/1400 AD

This is a very interesting time period in many ways, but especially in a spiritual sense. So much happens that reveals the depths of corruption in man and the mercy of God. We begin with the Fall of the Roman Empire, The Byzantine Era, the Holy Roman Empire, The Vikings, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation. Studying this period shows the change from strict survival mentality to the growth of Nationalism and people joining together for love of country. They move out of the dark ages and into understanding.

Exploration and the Founding of America - 1400 to 1800

Here we arrive at the stepping off place that leads to our nation. Major world Exploration begins and following a study of some of the great explorers: Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Christopher Columbus; we move into the Discovery and Exploration of the New World and then the Colonies and the Revolutionary War to the Constitution. This is the favorite period for Sarah, as she loves the Colonial Period!

American History - 1800 to the present

This section of History begins with a New Nation, then Lewis and Clark, the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War, Westward Expansion, World War I, the Depression, World War 2, the Cold War, Civil Rights, Modern Politics and Current Events. There is so much to study in American History that we could spend the entire 4-year cycle on it alone. One reason I limit the official study to one year is that we are constantly engulfed in discussions in our home on the modern "state of affairs". This leads to such a full coverage of Modern American History that it is not necessary to cover it more.

I hope this helps you to understand how we cover history at Shepherds Hill. Our children have a true appreciation for the hand of God throughout history. They understand that most of the destruction of civilizations is based in the greed and brutality of ungodly men. They also understand how it is only by the Mercy of God that this earth is still spinning and there are still people on it.

Italy Geography Dinner

Buon giorno! I can truly report that our Italy dinner was a complete success!!

For the first time the dinner was hosted at someone else's home and our girls loved that! Dave and Cindy Melvin and their children Tiffany and Stephen were our hosts for the evening. They are very hospitable folk and had their home decorated wonderfully for the occasion.

Our dinner was a wonderful array beginning with Bruschetta - toasted Italian bread with tomatoes and parmesiana-reggiano cheese grated on top and baked in the oven. For the entrees we had Salmon and Apple pasta, Fettucine Alfredo with Shrimp and Baked Lasagna! For dessert we had four layer chocolate cake and ice cream. Of course we had Italian breadsticks and focaccia to go with our meal. Cindy served cappucino to the adults after dinner and that was fun.

The children played badmitton outside before dinner and after dinner they all shared what they had learned about Italy. Rachel Sutton shared about the Leaning Tower of Piza and why it leans. Very interesting! Tiffany shared some facts interesting facts about the country and Vatican City. Erin gave a report she had done on the geography, government and people of Italy and showed her map and flag. Stephen shared about the Messerschmidt airplane used in WWII - a German plane but an ally to Italy. Olivia decided to sing a song, "That's Amore!" Paul accompanied her on the guitar and she did very well. When she was finished she handed copies of the song to everyone for them to join in - it was so fun!

Afterward the adults retired to the rocking chairs on the porch for a wonderful time of chatting and the children all played in the yard. It was dark and they loved it. The weather was so pleasant and mild. All in all it was a fantastic evening and enjoyed by all!

Training Our Children To Be Servants

Many years ago, when the Lord began to impress upon our hearts that we needed to homeschool, I made a list of the subjects we would study. I suppose this is the way most homeschool moms and dads begin. Math, English, History, Science, Spelling . . . and BIBLE!! Oh, yes, Bible is #1! The most important subject on the list.

As the years rolled on, we made sure that we had the finest in Bible curriculum. No amount of money would be spared in order to find the best that was offered. Then one day I came to a screaching halt. Someone said, "Bible should not be a SUBJECT in school." "What????", I wailed. Bible should not be a subject in school - it should be a daily pursuit - weekends included. Not a scheduled task to be assigned and graded. "Oh!"

It is humourous now to look back on and I must say that we still have a place allocated on our daily schedule for the study of the Bible - but it is no longer just another subject. To place the Holy Scriptures in the same category with Math textbooks and Science Labsheets was wrong.

In order to give the proper position to the gravity of Bible Study in school, one of the things I began to focus on with the girls is Character Traits and Qualities I wanted them to have. So I made a list. Charlotte Mason had a list of Habits - this is an excellent starting point. In my list were things like: Kindness, Thriftiness, Diligence, Honesty, Hard Work, Servanthood, Obedience, Joyfulness, etc..

Each month I began to guide the girls through studying about these Character Traits. It was not always a spoken thing, but I knew the focus for the month and so when we talked, read the scripture, spent time in the community - the focus was guided back to that trait in some way.

Servanthood has always been a very important part of our family life. My husband and I feel that to be a servant is the truest way to find the heart of Christ and follow it. So we have taught our children to be constantly thinking in what ways they can be servants to the people in their rhelm of influence. Recently someone remarked that one of the reasons they like to visit us is because they will be waited on "hand and foot". I am glad they feel that way, because while they are being waited on "hand and foot" they are receiving the love and message of Christ.

Our society and to be honest, the modern church, seems to have lost the will to serve one another. The Word says:

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Haley was at a very large conference in Dallas, Texas a couple of years ago. It was the convention for a famous televangelist that I am sure you would all know if I called his name. But one of the main speakers at one of the main meetings came on the stage and boldly proclaimed, "I am no one's servant!!! I am a King's Kid, and Heir to Glory, a Joint Heir with Christ!" Haley was crushed!

While it is true scripturally, we are joint heirs with Christ. We are the children of the King of Kings. This is not where our focus should be. Our focus should be on being a servant of all.

Christ' example was one of service and humility and this is what we should be practicing and teaching our children.

Since we are a homeschool covering, we have many activities here on our farm for the families we cover. So we have children here all the time. It doesn't take long to find the ones that have been taught to have a servant's heart. "Mrs. Angie, is there anything I can do to help? Mrs. Angie, thank you for having us over. Mrs. Angie, may I come back again." These children shine out like diamonds. What a joy and blessing they are.

I would encourage all families, that servanthood is not a natural trait. It only comes through teaching and training. Yes, we want our children to have great self-esteem and hold their heads up high - but is it because of pride that they should hold their heads up or because of meekness in the knowledge of whose they are.

If we would bring them to the Lord and teach them of their value in Him, then we should begin with teaching them to be servants. To be humble and gentle. To be kind and patient. To be a little Jesus.

Search the scriptures - see what Christ daily activity was. Even though He was/is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords didn't He cook for His friends? Didn't He kneel on the dirty floor to wash their feet?

As we teach our children every day to read and cipher and draw let us also teach them to serve. Let us first, by example, teach them to esteem others more highly than themselves. In doing this we can then teach them to be true servants.

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