Friday Funny---Bible Story

This has been around a few weeks, but I keep watching it because I think it's a hoot!

5 Simple Ways to Help Kids Memorize Scripture

From Hip Homeschool Moms

Kids are like sponges.  I’m amazed at what my kids manage to soak up from the world around them (sometimes good, sometimes not so good), and even more amazed by what they remember, especially during the times when I don’t even think they are paying attention.  Childhood is the perfect time to have our kids memorize information for future use.  During their school years, they will most likely memorize things such as countries and capitals, world leaders, dates, poems, math facts, and prepositions.  But above all else, make sure they memorize scripture.  The most important thing we can have our children memorize is God’s Word

Not only will memorizing scripture help shape their character, grow their faith, and teach them the Truth, it will be with them always to help comfort them , encourage them, discipline them, and nurture them.  They will always have their armor – belt, breastplate, shield, helmet, and sword (Ephesians 6:14-17) – in their back pocket. Even before our children begin to talk, we can start helping them learn and become familiar with scripture by reciting it to them when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up (Deuteronomy 6:7). Teaching our children scripture doesn’t have to be elaborate or hard to implement; it can actually be quite easy and FUN.  Here are 5 simple ways to help your kids memorize scripture

So excited! I have items for sale on Currclick.com! GIVEAWAY

That's right. Yours truly has items for sale on http://Currclick.com. Hoping to help my family through providing some items that others might also find helpful!

The first items are my I Can Illustrate Psalm 23 booklets which are available in ESV, KJV, NIV, and NKJV. 

I have offered this free on my blog before, but this has been updated.

A brand new item I have on Currclick is Quality Quotations for Copywork: Nelson Mandela. His recent death made me want to have some a way to include some of his memorable quotes in our school day!

Now for a giveaway! That's right, I'm going to give away an item that I made! The winner will receive one item of their choice the Psalm 23  or the Nelson Mandela. Giveaway will end Sunday, February 10.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Funny: Leviticus, the read through the Bible in one year widow maker

A funny from Stuff Christians Like.

It’s almost January 1st, which means New Year’s resolutions!

Statistically speaking, 82% of Christians will try to read the Bible in one year. (I made that stat up because blogs.)

A lot of them will think it will be easy. That is dumb. Why? Leviticus.

Genesis kind of woos you with stories. Ohhh, Adam and Eve! Joseph and his wicked awesome coat! All the stories! Dem feels!

Then you head to Exodus and you’re feeling good. I’ve got this. This is like a crazy desert soap opera. There’s a priest who just stabbed two people having sex with a spear. This isn’t a boring Bible, this is an action movie! Stallone was probably in the original, he’s pretty old.

- See more at: http://stuffchristianslike.net/2013/12/10/leviticus-read-bible-one-year-widow-maker/#sthash.Rr4QITrw.dpuf

AWANA Cubbies studying Creation Week

One of the reasons I've been too busy to check in daily is because I'm the director/leader of our Cubbies group.

Over the next few meetings, we'll be covering the days of creation. AWANA provides a lot of great things to use, but I get bored with just worksheets in class. On the other hand, I've been trying to provide parents with some additional worksheets which support our memory verses and preschool learning in general. 

I thought I'd share some things I have found to incorporate. 

First, I think this is so cool. It's the days of creation by a Jewish homeschooler. I LOVE how to tell a Kosher fish!


I am going to be using a simpler version of this for our next meeting. I had the Cubbies hands traced a few times, will cut them out beforehand, and make a smaller version of the sun for day 4 of creation. We'll stick the memory verse in the middle instead of a face.


I had also like this idea but thought it too much for one Cubbies meeting.


This is a cute creation book. Love it being hands-on.


This creation pack is cute but practical. It covers the days of creation and includes number and letter writing practice.


Lastly, here's a site with all kinds of worksheets, activities and even a Genesis lapbook!


Do you have any great resources for teaching creation?

Wednesday Websites--Bible

Today I thought I'd share some websites and blogs that help teach Bible. These could be used for homeschool, family devotions, Sunday school, etc.

Bible Fun for Kids--A cute Genesis Lapbook with cut and glue pages at this link, plus other things on their site. Make sure to follow them on Pinterest for tons of ideas.

Calvary Curriculum--Curriculum for Old Testament, New Testament, in English and Spanish, and even some topical studies. Each study addresses a variety of ages as well.

Teacherhelp.org--It has pages of Bible-based pictures to color. Tons. Old Testament. New Testament. People and events in the Bible. Passages. Ten Commandments. More.

Head Heart Hand--Bible reading plan for kids.

Staying on my Wall--my new article at Homeschool Survival

I have a new article posted at Homeschool Survival. Sarah's goal for the site is it to be refuge for homeschoolers who are going through hard times. Let's face it. We all go through them at times.

• death in the family
• messy house
• lack of car
• health issues
• unemployment
• you get the idea

My article is about homeschooling during my husband's recent unemployment. It's entitled, Staying on my Wall. I'd love for you to go check it out!

Job's Wife--A Reality Check

I was honored this week to be a guest blogger over at Eternal Encouragement. It was definitely written from real life experience!! Please check it out!

I'm glad I didn't freak out...what would you have done?

I didn't freak out.

Last night, mija started a VERY interesting discussion that I could have easily overreacted to. 

She started asking questions like:
"So, how do you know God really exists?"
"How can God be alive forever?"
"How do you know the Bible is true?"

I KNOW!! I'm thinking, "Oh, no! My daughter is only 8 years old and she's already questioning her faith!"

Some of the answers included:
"Because the Bible says so."
"That is why it is called "faith". If we understood or knew for sure, we wouldn't have to believe."
"Daddy and I tell you what the Bible says, but that doesn't mean WE understand it either. You don't have to understand to believe."
"The fact that God is eternal and knows everything just goes to show us how BIG God is and how little we are."

So here are my thoughts.

• Props to my hubby and me for not going off half-cocked and saying things like "Because we told you so" or "How in the world could you ask that!"
• Thankful that mija felt that she could openly discuss her questions with us. I pray it stays that way about Biblical things as well as other things.
• These things means she's been thinking about her faith. She's not just taking things at face value, but evaluating them. She's making sure she knows what she believes and why.

What do you think? Do you think my thoughts are right or am I missing the mark?

Hannukah starts Saturday evening--history, crafts and more!

Hanukkah starts this Saturday night, December 8th and ends Sunday evening, December 16th.

That's right. In case you are not familiar with it, this Jewish holiday lasts for eight days. It celebrates a miracle that occurred between the Old Testament and New Testament.



Specifically, they had oil to burn before God for only one day, but God allowed it to last eight days while they consecrated more oil and cleaned the temple!

Here are some cool Hanukkah ideas from my Pinterest Hanukkah board.

Pipe Cleaner Star of David

Source: blogs.babble.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

Macaroni and Bean Menorah 

Source: kidscraftweekly.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

Many Menorah and Dreidel crafts

Source: thecraftycrow.net via Betsy Price on Pinterest

Hanukkah Coloring Pages

Source: lil-fingers.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

Hanukkah Crafts and more

Source: apples4theteacher.com via Betsy Price on Pinterest

To Bee or not to Bee...various Bees & Bowls I've heard of

There are actually many different bees around. I thought I'd share a few. 

Of course, there is the Scripps National Spelling Bee.--Registration and local bees happening now.

National Bible Bee--During the summer

National Geographic Bee--School bees going on now

National History Bee--Registration going on now.

Numbers Bee--online math tournament

How about some Bowls?

National Science Bowl

National History Bowl

Bible Bowl

Do you know of any Bees or Bowls I've missed? Please share!

Psalm 23 Booklet--Free Printable

Mija is learning Psalm 23 in AWANA. I thought of a cute way to review the book! I made a booklet she could illustrate herself.

First go get my free printable HERE. (I've also posted in My Printables.) I've made it four different pages, so you can choose to do one at a time if you want!

Here's what you'll end up with after printing.

It's four sheets with four pages on each sheet.

The next job is cutting them apart and punching the hole in each corner.

Sneaky mommy got in some extra review by having mija put the cut cards in order!

Then came the fun part of coloring a picture for each phrase. I left them blank for personal illustrations because she loves to draw more than color and personal illustrations are much likely to become keepsakes!

I think some of my favorite illustrations were a picture of vegetable oil for "He anoints my head with oil," and the dripping blood and dead person for "the valley of the shadow of death."
We then put it together with a paper fastener and viola! 

So, just go HERE to get your own Psalm 23 Booklet and please let me know what you think!

  

An Education Contrary to the Will of God

I subscribe to sermonaudio.com. I received emails with audio links from various pastors (including mine) recorded sermons. I don't always listen to them because of time and, well, just listening to a sermon is hard for me, but I'm working on it.

It did catch my eye, however, when I saw the title "An Education Contrary to the Will of God" with a tag of "Government Schools".

The message is 37 minutes long. I listened to it while I played worked on Pinterest. He makes a lot of truthful and insightful points although he does it in a very judgmental way. BUT maybe those who don't see the dangers of the public school system need to be challenged. I don't know.

Here's the link to the audio. Tell me what you think.

Artists and Authors--Learning Character Through Drawing (GIVEAWAY)

I was excited when I learned I would get to review Artists and Authors by Eternal Encouragement. I had already purchased the book earlier this year with plans to use it for mija during the school year. I just pulled it out earlier than I had planned (thanks to my moving strategy). I decided the best way to review it was to use it!

Let me tell you a little about it first. It's a little spiral-bound book that allows your child to draw a picture that goes along with each little devotional written by Lorrie Flem. It can be done daily or as you see fit. 
It covers:

• 24 character traits
• The Fruits of the Spirit
• The Ten Commandments
• Five Holidays

Each page doesn't take much time at all which is really nice for a younger child. The spiral-binding makes it lay flat which makes it much easier to read and especially to draw! 

What also makes it nice is that each page can be dated, so you can end up keeping it as, well, a keepsake.  You'll definitely want to do so. Let me show you why.

One lesson deals with how big God is. Lorrie mentions how the Bible says that God uses the Earth as a footstool and instructs the child to draw a picture of God using the Earth as a footstool. Here's what mija drew:

How could you not love it!!  It's God's foot resting on the Earth!! She even put continents and oceans on the Earth! LOVE IT!

I decided to let mija write her own review. Here is what she wrote.

I like to draw. That is why I like this. I think it's cool!

There is also a counterpart book entitled Authors and Artists. For that book, they write a little bit about the small lesson. It's recommended more for ages 7 and up.

I wanted to mention it because Mrs. Flem is giving away one of each on her blog Randy's Rib.

Here are the links to the giveaways.

Artists and Authors Giveaway

Authors and Artists Giveaway

Remember, Authors is the one the child writes. Artists is the one the child draws. Enter for both because I know you'll want them both!

Although I had already purchased my own copy earlier this year, I did receive a copy for free in exchange for my honest review.

"Not" Back-to-School Blog Hop---Curriculum Week (Part 2)

I couldn't finish everything I wanted to share on Tuesday, so today is part 2 of my "Not" Back-to-School Blog Hop Curriculum Week!  On Tuesday, I covered readin', writin', and 'rithmetic.  Today, I'm covering my electives.

History

Mija really enjoys history. I think it's because we teach it chronologically. That is why we have used The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child. I know that some are concerned because there can be a slight humanistic twinge to it, but I can more than bring God into His-tory on my own. I also am thankful for The Story of the World Activity Book . It helps me not have to re-invent the wheel. It has activities, review items, and even lists of books to go along with each chapter.  That's really important to me because I don't want mija to learn merely from a text book but from real books. Having the list makes my time on the library website much faster. (I reserve all the books I want online, so all I have to do it pick them up!)

Science

 I mentioned on Monday, I didn't have a science curriculum available for this year. Well, I was looking through all my downloads, and I came across something I'm going to use. There is a science program entitled, Supercharged Science. It's actually taught by Aurora Lipper, a real rocket scientist! We had signed up for a trial period of her program and while a member I downloaded a lot of her things! I have enough to definitely cover this year although I won't have access to her cool videos. So, between my downloads and the library, I think we have science covered.
Every so often, Aurora Lipper does FREE teleclass.  She has one coming up on Wednesday, August 15 at noon Pacific time.  We usually try to attend even if it's not a subject we are currently covering because she's great, it counts as hours, and did I mention it was Free? Here's the link to sign up for this upcoming teleclass on chemistry.

Bible

Bible really isn't just an elective. It permeates everything we do. While I have my eye on some "official" curriculum, we can't afford it write now, so these are some things we are using.

First, Awana. In case you don't know what Awana is, it is a Scripture memory program that gives prizes and awards for what the child accomplishes. Our church offers Awana. She attends the meetings and then we work on the verses at home.

Second. We've been using Lorrie Flem's Artists and Authors. I won't tell you  much about it right now because I'm going to be doing a review in a few weeks!

Art and Music and More

I don't have a regular curriculum with the subjects. I often integrate them with history or holidays. For instance, we're going to be learning about what was happening in Holland during the Protestant revolutions. We're going to learn about Rembrandt then! Free concert at the library. Music credit. If I can score a free piano, we'll start that again. Mija also does ballet. I count that as Performance Art although I probably could count as PE if I wanted to do. 

Latin

Yes, we are going to start Latin this year, but I'm planning on taking it slow and easy. Something I had purchased previously to use for this eventual even is Prima Latina. Haven't used it before. Seems simple enough. We'll see how it goes.  Why Latin? Because we follow the Classical Method, of course! There's more to it than that. Latin is the basis of a great deal of our English language thereby helping with spelling and learning the meanings of new words. It's also the basis of all the Latin languages which gives you a head up in learning them. (Although I don't think I'll ever understand French. There are just too many unspoken letters. Why put them there if you're not going to say them? Huh?)

So there you are. That's the basics of what I'm using this year.  Have you used any of them? Would you recommend them or something else?

Friday Funny--Righteous Ruth Rap by Liz Curtis Higgs

The Pregnancy Companion--a book review

I must admit, when I was first asked to read a pregnancy book, I was a little surprised. After all, I've never been pregnant! 
However, I have experienced a pregnancy vicariously through mija's birth-mom! I read a lot of pregnancy books during those months of waiting. I wanted to know what was going on with my future baby and what the birth-mom was going through. I wanted to be able to pray for them with understanding and wisdom.




The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood was written by Jessica Wolstenholm and Dr. Heather Rupe. 
The two authors give this book a combination of perspectives you don't usually find in one book. Dr. Rupe deals with the physical and health aspects while Jessica Wolstenholm deals with the spiritual and emotional aspect. Each section of this book has both of those. First there is discussion of the pregnancy followed by a devotional and spiritual applications to what is going on during that period of pregnancy. I don't think I've ever seen that format used. It was encouraging.


Another thing that is different in this book is how far back it starts. While I've seen individual books dealing with getting pregnant, this book starts with the hows and what-nots about getting pregnant. It then takes you all the way through postpartum.


There is one thing about this book which I can't decide is a positive or negative. The authors are honest about "negative" things such as infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, etc. They are good things to know about, but I wonder if being too informed would make one more fearful or less fearful. I think it would depend on the person. Personally, as one who is infertile, I wouldn't have purposely picked up a book entitled The Pregnancy Companion to find out more about infertility.


This is a one little thing I really didn't like. Considering the fact this book is supposed to be coming from a Christian perspective, I question some of the wording. One word in particular is the use of "partner" at times instead of spouse or husband. If you are a Christian, you should be pregnant by your husband or reminded that you should be pregnant by your husband. 


All in all, I think this is a nice little book. I like how it gives encouragement in the Scriptures along the way. I would recommend it as one of the books you go to during a pregnancy. It brings "Medicine & Faith together!"


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Scripture Memory Online

It seems I've been writing a lot lately on memorization. In case you've missed them, I did one about singing as a memory aid and using chants, poems, and cheers.


I found out about two Scripture memory programs online that I thought I'd share.
Scripture Typer is also also available as an iPhone app. MemVerse is developing an app. The whole app thing doesn't really affect me, since I don't have a "fancy" phone.


With both programs, you can sign in and it will keep track of what you're memorizing. Memorizing using programs like these is the fact that you're not only learning visually but also kinesthetically because you type in the verses. Say the verses out loud and you add auditory!


MemVerse has opportunities to win "badges" for memorization and is 100% online. Scripture Typer is also online, but gives you the opportunity to print memory cards. 


I haven't played around enough with either site to determine which I like the best.  Have you used them? Do you have a preference? I'd love to know what you think.

Make a joyful noise--Singing Scripture and other Subjects

A few weeks ago, I posted about my church's ladies' retreat. One of the things that was discussed was Scripture memorization. 
It was reassuring to hear John Piper share that we'll forget 90% of what we memorize, but then we can just memorize it again!

We had a guest speaker, Karen Eppler, share about the Bible memory program she uses for children that involves singing. She even has a cool rebus for each verse. What a way to engage not only auditory but visual learners, as well. You can get her rebuses, tunes, and verses HERE.


Many studies have shown that setting things you want to memorize to music is a great way to help memorize it and retain it. This article mentions that fact as well as giving some ideas like using sign language or movement which would also encourage kinesthetic learners.


One of the easier ways is to bring a tune to Scripture or anything else you want to memorize is to set it to a tune you already know. That's called a "piggy-back" song. I LOVE PIGGY-BACK SONGS!! I'm not creative enough to come up with a new melody AND already knowing the tune means I don't have to memorize that  part.


For instance, my friend Susan (of Susan's Book Group) taught mija and me I Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV by singing it to "Silent Night". I taught my daughter the whole list of prepositions by singing them to the theme from the Micky Mouse Club. I got that here.


There are sooooo many sources of memory songs for both Bible and other subjects. I find a lot on YouTube.com. Sometimes I write them myself. If you're a little uncertain about doing it yourself HERE was a nice article with some suggestions on how to do it.


Just to show what can be done, here's mija singing the first part of the Declaration of Independence which I set to the tune of "This Old Man".  She was 4 at the time.

A Cup Brimful of Water--speaking out of the abundance of your heart

My pastor is an expository preacher which basically means he preaches straight through a book of a Bible instead of topically. It's a big blessing because you can see Scripture in the context of which it was written which is the way it was made to be read if you think about it. 
After all, when you read a book or a letter, do you start in the middle, jump to a sentence at the beginning, read the end of another book....etc.? It's probably why I like to teach history in order, too!
Anyway, knowing what my pastor is going to preach on next Sunday allows me to review that passage ahead of time. That's why this passage is really standing out to me this week!

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45 ESV emphasis mine)

This is so convicting. What comes out of my mouth when I haven't run it through my "spiritual" filter before I speak it? I'm not going to tell you, but obviously it's something I need to work on or I wouldn't be writing about it! It reminds me of a quote from Amy Carmichael:
If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.
Sometimes when I'm jolted, I'm not very sweet.

What am I doing to work on it? I'm working on filling my heart with more good than bad. I'm reading the Word more. I'm reading godly books more. I'm listening to audio sermons, Scripture on CD, and Christian music more. AND I'm talking to myself more and listening to myself less. Unfortunately, when we listen to ourselves, it's usually grumbling or negative, so in this case, being slow to listen and quick to speak the truth is a good thing!


Give me some ideas. What do you do to be brimful of sweet water, so don't spill even one drop of bitter water?