The layout of the E-zine is as follows:

• Greetings from Marianne
• News
• Top Ten Teaching Tools for Character Training
• How we apply this to our curriculum
• Thoughts from a Homeschool Dad
• Organizational Tips
• Coming soon

Greetings from Marianne

If only we could have a set of fool-proof tools and a sure method for character training which directly results in self-controlled youth, alive in Christ, Godly in character!

Sadly, it is not that simple or easy.

The world we live in, the trappings, the temptations, the worldviews modeled on TV, radio, movies, the excitement and lure of the wide road is at all of our doors and our children will face it sooner or later.

Each Christian homeschooling family would love to know how character training can happen in the context of homeschooling.

Even if you have only been homeschooling for a few months, you would know by now, that homeschooling is not about the kids – rather, it’s all about us as parents! Tiring, but true! That is why you are reading this ezine, and not your children.

I would like to encourage you in your homeschooling adventure – to enjoy the challenges before you; be positive in your daily struggles and achievements; be realistic – and to keep the big picture of Discipleship and Character Training in the forefront of your mind, daily. No, we cannot claim to have the formula, but as Christian parents we have access to the most High God who equips, strengthens, guides and upholds us as we journey through the difficult and the enjoyable homeschooling journey.

How do we remind ourselves that academics are second to character training and discipleship? What are the teaching tools we need to develop good character traits such as faith, goodness, perseverance, diligence, patience, love, kindness, generosity, truthfulness, reliability and self control in our children and in us?

That is the essence of this e-zine - Looking at the Teaching Tools we need for Character Training.

News - Monthly Giveaway!

Looking for a family resource with discipleship instruction for the whole family?

This E-zine we are looking at Character Training and some parental teaching tools which may help us. So, I would love to giveaway "Our 24 Family Ways" by Clay Clarkson.

This parent-friendly, Bible-centered family time resource seamlessy weaves together devotional interaction with discipleship instruction for the whole family. This is a tool to train your children in the way they should go, teach them Bible truths and principles, train them in Christian character and values, and strengthen their relationship with the Lord.

Our 24 Family Ways is a multi-purpose family devotional guide that will shape hearts in your home for God and his ways. It's easy to use and hard to forget! Here's what's included:

• --120 complete family devotionals...five for each of the Ways, in family-ready ARTS outlines.
• --24 easy-to-learn family Ways...24 biblical values in six key areas of family life.
• --24 Scripture memory passages...one for each Way, in NIV, NASB, and NKJV.
• --24 character quality definitions...one for each Way, in child-friendly language.
• --25 original screened illustrations...one for each Way, plus one for Proverbs 22:6.
• --25 line art coloring pages...make My 24 Family Ways notebooks for each child.

The only thing missing from this whole family devotional guide is you...to open it and use it. Clear instructions and a generous helping of creative ideas and suggestions are included for using the Ways in your family.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of "Our 24 Family Ways", you need to add a Curriculum Review of a curriculum which I have not yet written on. Look at the Homeschool Curriculum Reviews Page and choose a curriculum (one you have used) which is listed but not highlighted. I am happy to give away 4 copies of "Our 24 Family Ways". Read this page for more information.

Other items of interest are my pages on online homeschooling and reasons why families choose some online homeschool options.

New Curriculum Reviews have been added:
Have you seen or used Candy 4Way Phonics Curriculum? Find out more about how Candy learned to read.
Supercharged Science Videos and Experiments - has anyone enjoyed using this new online curriculum? We have and still enjoy learning using this wonderful resource! Don't forget the Science Experiment Freebies I mentioned last time - get them here.

Teaching Tools for Character Training

1. Prayer


Above all, we need to begin and continue in prayer. We need guidance as we disciple each child according to their specific needs and God given personality. We need to pray for wisdom to understand our children and lead them to develop their gifts in God’s service.

2. Patience


Every parent needs patience and as homeschooling parents have their children with them every day, every hour, we need more. How can we become more patient? One practical way in which I have become more patient is by trying to view life through the eyes of my children. This also helps us to determine whether our children’s actions are a result of wilful disobedience or childish carelessness. Looking through the eyes of a child helps us to enter into their personality, enjoy simple new experiences and understand why they are doing what they are doing. This helps us to make better judgements and more patient responses to their actions which might at times frustrate us.

When we look through their eyes, we also realize that when they do not understand a concept, they are not doing it deliberately, but instead they just need more time. Timing is so important in understanding. So often, we try to explain an abstract concept to a mind which is just not ready to receive it. No wonder we become frustrated. Wait another six months or even a year or two! The more I think about this, the more I realize the huge advantage we have to be flexiblie in our teaching. Each child is so unique and must be taught in accordance to their uniqueness, not according to some man-made timetable, which we as homeschoolers can avoid – and so we must! Look at a scope and sequence chart for ideas only – not as a structure of what to teach and certainly not as a structure as when to teach...

3. Determination


Each homeschooling family must have a degree of determination. We are going against the norm, often required to give an answer and so we must be determined to see it work. If we are struggling, (as we all do at times), we need to search for answers, speak to other families, change methods, and look for better resources.

4. Enthusiasm


Our children thrive when we are engaged in their learning. It doesn’t mean that we need to spoon feed them. I would actually speak against spoon-feeding them. Rather, I think that when our children learn independently and spend time grappling through a difficult concept, it is to their benefit and develops character. What a joy to a hard working student when they eventually conquer a maths problem.

But having said that, I also believe that our children love us being involved in their learning. We can be totally involved – leading, teaching, reading, directing, planning a unit study, making projects or we can be on the side-line cheering, encouraging, inspiring and learning from them.

5. Direction and Focus


In order to lead our families in any direction and see them develop in character, we need to know where we are going. We need to spend some time listing what we believe to be important. I speak about this on my website, discussing family goals and especially listing goals under the headings : Relational Goals, Academic/ Educational Goals, Practical Goals.
We need to check ourselves when we anxiously try to “cover the bases.” Whose bases do we think we need to cover? Always remember that every scope and sequence you may find ( a syllabus, the World Book Scope and Sequence, the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence or any other one) has been prepared by someone. Why not you? What does your family scope and sequence look like? What do you consider important? What aspect of your schooling has really been worthwhile to you? What would you have loved to been taught at school and feel like you have missed out? Create your own big picture goals – what you want to teach and follow that big plan. Here's help to plan and write your homeschooling goals.
However, it is not a bad idea to use a Scope and Sequence as an ideas list. Have your children view a scope and sequence and then ask, “What would you like to study this term/month/year?”

6. Degree of Organization


It is easier to home school when your home runs smoothly. If you are naturally a disorganized person, you may need to put some time into getting organized. When I feel my house is really upside down, I get my helpers busy and we tackle the rooms that bother me most – usually the kitchen and laundry. Once we have put most things back into the right place, I feel like I can move on in the day.
Other ways to organize your home can be to plan meals and shopping lists; Get a cleaning roster or Chore Chart roster going; Begin the day with chores; Group your errands together on one day; Create a timetable. Use a planner.


7. Reflection on God's Purposes


Remembering that God is a relational God and that the Bible is the story of God’s rescue plan to bring mankind back into relationship with Himself – to restore peace, helps us to remember that Christian discipleship is foremost , above academics, in the training and education of our children. Therefore, we need to talk to our children, pray with them, guide and instruct them about Jesus and how we can live for Him.
In light of this, we need to prepare our children for a life of service. How can they use their gifts and talents for God? What does God want them to do in their lives, now and in the future? How can we educate them towards that goal? This is what we need to concentrate on.

8. Conviction and Confidence


We need to be convinced that God has called us to this task and be assured that He will equip us to carry on the task confidently. Remind ourselves with the words of Psalm 78. Encourage eachother with Scripture; Meet with other families and be a part of an encouraging support group.


9. Modeling


If we are keen to see our children grow in character, we need to work on our own character. (That's hard to do, I know!) We need to be a model of one who is growing closer to God, reading the Word, reflecting on it, and applying it daily in our lives. If we want our children to love learning and growing in knowledge, we also need to model a life of learning and education, developing and using our gifts. Set some goals for your own education.


10. Love


1Pet 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
We are all imperfect homeschooling families and we will fail continually. As parents we need to know that we are forgiven by God and by our children for our failings; Our children also need to know they are forgiven by God and by us, as parents. God is a God of Love and Forgiveness and so we need to express love to our children in an atmosphere of love and security.

How Character Development happens 'within' the curriculum

So, yes, we teach Math , Reading, Languages, Spelling, History and so on – and in the process we aim to model and train our children to develop the character traits which would please God.

Thoughts from a Homeschool Dad

Marianne gives lots of thought into what should be some priorities in regards to Homeschooling in this magazine. She seems to concentrate very much on fruit of the Spirit character traits as well as prayer and organisational tips. The problem with all of us is that we measure ourselves against others and so academic numbers and results seem to mean the most to us, when in actual fact building their character should be a real focus of our efforts. When Jesus said what use is it to gain the world and lose your soul we seem to nod "Yes" but in reality we dismiss those thoughts as not really applying to us. Jesus also said, "build my kingdom first and seek His righteousness" and again we nod "Yes" but think that only applies in other areas of life. Success to a parent seems to be measured in results on paper rather then in real character development.

Educational progress is of course necessary and should be an aim of home schooling. There is no doubt about this! Yet, it should not be the only aim. I remember doing the course "Growing Kids God's Way" years ago and the presenters asking whether other people liked your children. Why not ask yourself that question. Do people compliment you on your children. Are they considered polite, thoughtful, considerate, models to follow or are your children the kind that only a grandparent can love? Are your children involved in youth organisations, even taking up leadership roles? Too many parents think that these things will happen after they are sufficiently educated but perhaps all you have taught them is that the world should revolve around them.

If you spend a little time, once a year in reading through some wisdom literature from the Bible, we would see that character is so very important. An easy way to review the Proverbs constantly is to read a chapter a day at Breakfast - read the chapter according to the date (i.e. 17th of September - read Ch 17 or a selection from it... and so on)

Till next time,

Gerald

Organizational Tips

Let me know if you are interested in how we have developed individual learning programs in our home, planning sheets we have used, goal sheets, skill classes and the use of badges. If you would like to know more - add a comment here.

Please let us know your organizational tips here.

Coming soon...

Dont Forget the Homeschool Freebies - 4 copies of "Our 24 Family Ways."

The only thing missing from this whole family devotional guide is you...to open it and use it. Clear instructions and a generous helping of creative ideas and suggestions are included for using the Ways in your family.