The subject of Nature Study

      One of my favorite subjects of all time is God's Creation. Just to observe the natural world around me is a magical scene. The smell of the forest air is completely therapeutic. The feel of dirt under your bare feet and in between your fingers, is a feeling that you have to experience for yourself.
   As a little girl visiting my grandfathers home for the year, I got to explore and spend a lot of time out doors. Climbing trees, riding horses, milking a cow, planting vegetables with my mom. Watching my grandfather go about his usual day, working in the garden. Always working with his hands. That Image as I write, reminds me of the scripture verse in Genesis 2:15  The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. I can only Imagine Adams satisfaction at the end of the day, as he walked along side God the Father...What was their conversation like?!  To me that is so beautiful.
     We had this huge Cherry tree on the front side of the house that produced the most amazing, delicious, sweet, juicy cherry's! My brother would climb the tree with a big bucket in one hand and pick them for me and my little sister to sell in the front of the house. The money we would use to run to the corner store and buy Coca-Cola gum, that was imported from Poland. As we set waiting for costumers we rolled little cone cups to put the cherries in out of newspaper's. We would laugh and eat as many as we possibly could fit in to our belly's. When people would stop and see the big burgundy cherry's and pop one in their mouth, it was a pleasant thing to watch.
        Life in Ukraine as I remember  was beyond lovely, not a day go's by that I don't cherish the memories that are so weaved within me.  So... How do we teach our children to be nature lovers?!
 Well, they see the passion we have for God's creation and they cant help but feel the same.

     Here  is What Charlotte Mason thinks about Nature study.
    
    Here  Is Eight reasons why to do a Nature study.

 I love the fact that you are teaching your children to observe the world around them.
 Your also teaching them about their creator and the amazing artist he is.
 This fall we started a Nature Journal that the children get to draw, paint what they see on our nature outings. Even our three year old son will ask when we are going on our next Nature walk, if we haven't been out in a while. When we pray, he loves to thank God that he went on a Nature walk. So adorable!

  Here Benefits of Observational Nature study.

 This summer we enjoyed wild flowers, different birds, frogs, turtles, long walks at different parks. The kids enjoyed digging up worms and catching firefly's. Watching beautiful  dragonfly's Buzzing around Lilly pads. All this and more we will be learning in depth. As the seasons change.

  If we give our children regular opportunities to get in touch with God's Creation, a habit is formed which will be a source of delight throughout their lives.
                                                           ~ Karen Andreola

There will be times were I will read to the children a Thornthon W.Burgess book and Have them ,while I read draw what I read. It is a sort of Narration threw drawing.
  Today we got to take a ride threw our metro park and observe Nature by window. Although I got out a few times just to smell the fresh cold air and snap a few photos. As I stood in the middle of the beautiful pine trees, all I herd was the strong wind blowing snow threw the prairie that just a few months earlier was filled with lots of wildflower's and buzzing insects.  Now standing frozen in time waiting for Bright Mr. Sun to waken and melt away the cold.

  Have you ever kept a Nature Journal ? Would you Like to?  How can you encourage and instill a love for our Creator and his world?
  Psalm 19 Is beautiful.

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above^[a] proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice^[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,^[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules^[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Cross references:

1. Psalm 19:1 : Ps. 50:6; [Rom. 1:19, 20]
2. Psalm 19:4 : Cited Rom. 10:18
3. Psalm 19:4 : [Isa. 28:10]
4. Psalm 19:4 : [Eccles. 1:5]
5. Psalm 19:5 : [Judg. 5:31]
6. Psalm 19:5 : Joel 2:16
7. Psalm 19:7 : Rom. 7:12
8. Psalm 19:7 : Ps. 23:3; [2 Tim. 3:16]
9. Psalm 19:7 : Ex. 25:16; See Ps. 78:5
10. Psalm 19:7 : Ps. 111:7
11. Psalm 19:7 : [Matt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 1:27; 2 Tim. 3:15]
12. Psalm 19:7 : Ps. 119:130; Prov. 1:4
13. Psalm 19:8 : Ps. 103:18; 111:7; 119:4, 27
14. Psalm 19:8 : [Ps. 12:6]
15. Psalm 19:8 : See Ps. 13:3
16. Psalm 19:9 : Ps. 119:142, 151, 160
17. Psalm 19:10 : Ps. 119:72, 127; Prov. 8:10
18. Psalm 19:10 : Job 28:17; Prov. 8:19
19. Psalm 19:10 : Ps. 119:103
20. Psalm 19:10 : Prov. 16:24
21. Psalm 19:11 : [Prov. 29:18]
22. Psalm 19:12 : Ps. 40:12; [1 Cor. 4:4]
23. Psalm 19:12 : [Lev. 4:2; Num. 15:27]
24. Psalm 19:12 : Ps. 90:8; See Job 34:32
25. Psalm 19:13 : Gen. 20:6; 1 Sam. 25:33, 34, 39
26. Psalm 19:13 : [Num. 15:30]
27. Psalm 19:13 : Ps. 119:133; Rom. 6:12, 14
28. Psalm 19:14 : See Ps. 18:2
29. Psalm 19:14 : See Job 19:25

         
Blessings to you and your family friend. May the Lord fill your heart with Joy and his Majesty!

The subject of Math

          Our morning started today rather busy... I usually don't like to be busy and keep away from planning to much activities. I feel when I do plan lots, I strip away the spontaneity of the day. I  also
might be so consumed by all the things planned that I don't focus on what is right in my face, the real important things, like my children. That being said. I also can be to relaxed..  and that's not good either. So a healthy medium is important. We do need to have a little  structure.
 
  Our day usually starts with a hot breakfast and a nice cup of hot tea, for everyone. We have our devotionals with our breakfast. After breakfast everyone cleans up their area and we get to the least favorite subject. MATH... Actually its not horrible. Its just that teaching a third grader math gets to be kind of tiresome at moments. Even with our struggles, our nine year old does a great job. Teaching Math to a six and three year old is fun. Just the Basics. What is a dime worth, What is a quarter worth etc. addition, subtraction, telling time and so forth. I'm also trying really hard to teach them how to count in Ukrainian. That is pretty cute to hear.
  For third grade math we are doing Saxon Math Intermediate 3.
 It is intense. But I like that it challenges my son. That being said, I am searching for something different.. Honestly, Loving the Charlotte Mason way of teaching. I simply cant imagine her teaching math out of a Saxon work book. I feel like its so mechanical. I want him to love to learn. I know, I know, there are just some subjects that you have to just DO, like it or not. But , I want him to enjoy it. I hope its not just me..?
   Now, there is a book that I found that is fantastic (from what I read). Its called Mathematics: An Instrument for Living Teaching. I just Love the title.( Living Teaching)!!! So I ordered it.
 Here <---------
  I  had started this post thinking I will cover all subjects that we are covering, but math is where we started and will finish on. I guess Ill write about each subject separately. I like that better.
  I am looking forward to getting that book in the mail. Don't you love when you get Happy Mail?!
 Do you like Math? Did it always come easy to you? I would love to hear what you think.
  For some inspiration, Here is a beautiful blog I love to read.
 Here     <---------------

My inspiration for teaching my children

 Dear friend,
  I am so thankful and excited to be able to share with you our ''New'' Journey in our schooling!
Even though we started homeschooling four years ago, I say ''New'' because  we finally found a way of schooling that I have been always dreaming of,  but never thought was real. Never knew how to form in words, until Now. A few words that would describe my vision of learning would be, Exploration, Creativity, Nature,  Art, History, Living Books ( not just any books, but good books full of meat, full of wonder, books that can take you back in time, books that teach you, inspire you, challenge you). Music, Hands on activities, Imagination, Culture.
       Summer of 2013 a friend of mine offered a book to me, after we have been speaking of all the different ways of homeschooling and all the different curriculums out there...How overwhelming. Anyway, she looked at me and said I think you would love this book. Have you ever herd of Charlotte Mason before? Of cores I said no.

 As soon as I opened The Charlotte Mason Companion, by Karen Andreola. (the book that she so kindly let me borrow)I was Inspired!
   Who was Charlotte Mason? 
 http://www.amblesideonline.org/WhatIsCM.shtml

   I soon discovered after reading The Charlotte Mason Companion,  that Charlotte Mason had a series of books. Charlotte Mason's six-volume book series .

 1) volume 1- Home education
2) volume 2- Parents and Children
3) volume 3- School education
4) volume 4- ourselves
5) volume 5- Formation of Character
6) volume 6- Towards a Philosophy Of education
 
   These wonderful books are available Through the library.
At this time I am still reading through them. 

 Also I would recommend the Books
 - For The Children's Sake by, Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
- When children Love to Learn by, Elaine Cooper
 ( This one I will be reading shortly, I herd lots of wonderful things about it).

 This blog is meant to encourage and inspire the reader. I will be posting our daily endeavors of our school day. I will be sharing books that we read, projects, inspiration's etc.
 As far as Charlotte Masons teaching, I am reading and learning everyday. I am so blessed to be able to share my love of learning with my children! 


        Charlotte Mason~
       ~  On Nature
Children should be encouraged to watch, patiently and quietly, until they learn something of the habits and History of  bee, ant, wasp, spider, hairy caterpillar, dragon-fly, and whatever of larger growth comes in their way.
       I feel the reason I am so drawn to this way of teaching, is because I love the simplicity of Learning. We live in a world that says education is '' this way'' and if you don't fit in to our ''way'' there is something wrong.

 Volume 1 page 2. 
 Mothers owe a 'thinking love' to their Children.––"The mother is qualified," says Pestalozzi, "and qualified by the Creator Himself, to become the principal agent in the development of her child; ... and what is demanded of her is––a thinking love ... God has given to the child all the faculties of our nature, but the grand point remains undecided––how shall this heart, this head, these hands be employed? to whose service shall they be dedicated? A question the answer to which involves a futurity of happiness or misery to a life so dear to thee. Maternal love is the first agent in education."
  This is my calling, to teach and raise children to grow firmly in the word of God. To bring blessing and glory to their Creator, to  fulfill what they are created for.
         Blessings to you. Thank you for reading.
   Do you have a way of teaching your child or children that bring blessing to you, your family  and others?!