REVIVAL OF THE JOY IN HOMESCHOOLING

Wrote this 5 years ago. Wrote for other magazines. 
© Daneille Snowden

REVIVAL OF THE JOY IN HOMESCHOOLING
By Daneille Snowden

Do we define joy in homeschooing as….
Juggling
Our
Yardsticks
When we measure out the success of our teaching abilities=resulting in really smart kids?
Jumping
On
Your lesson planners when the school year is done?
Or could it be Your
Jewels
Obedient
Year?
Nonetheless, we all need the Joy and long for it in us, to pour out into the Hearts of our children, lasting for eternity. Joy means: “feelings of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind, or something that is seen as a source of happiness.”
Truly, real Joy is our only source of Joy and that is JESUS! I love that old chorus we sung in church; “Without Him, I could do nothing…without Him, I’d surely fail, without Him, I would be drifting…like a ship without a sail.” Isn’t that so true? When we try to go about life’s daily duties, without seeking Him first: we just don’t seem to get much done that really matters.
Mary B. Puplava of Handmaiden.org said this about her study on Joy; “Quite surprisingly, there are 15 different Hebrew words and 8 Greek words to describe joy which is used both as a noun and as a verb. To me this relates to the fact that JOY constitutes something that it tangible as well as intangible.”  Examples of the Hebrew & Greek definitions of Joy are fun, listen to some: rejoice, dance, cry, shout, good cheer, to glory, to be useful, to profit and to leap.
Now that summer is half over and I still yet need to finish purchasing my entire curriculum for this up-coming school year: the thought of doing this all over again just drains my brains as well as my soul! Hey, I am being bluntly truthful here, I have been home schooling now for over 12 years; and I am just not all that excited about teaching my chitlins. I know also that I am not alone; I have dear friends of whom I have chatted with that concur with this same sentiment. Yet, our true desire is to be joyous about teaching our babies once again by giving them the Word of God, using the three R’s and the extra curricula. When a dear friend and I were talking the other day, she was sharing her heart on this matter and I felt her burden…yes her BURDEN, not being excited about teaching her children and just purely WORE OUT! I felt her burden, because I identify. Burden defined is: “a load being carried; a difficult or worrying responsibility or duty.” We as home school moms (and or dads), feel that weight of responsibility; especially when our children become older and in high school. The weight just gets to be too much for us all to bear. So, where do I go…where do we all go when we get to this place of being overwhelmed and loosing our Joy to school our children? Jesus said; “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11.:28) Beyond a doubt do I believe that Jesus does care about this heavy laden burden of schooling and He wants to provide us His Rest! Rest here in the Greek means to: take ease and be refreshed! This is why the title of this article is called; ‘Revival of the Joy of Homeschooling.’ Because one of the definitions to revival is to be refreshed, ahhhh just the word itself is exhilarating!
I've been praying for myself and all my home school buddies; to have God's Joy of Homeschooling back in our hearts. As I was praying, I began meditating on this and the Lord brought this to my heart and mind.
When we all first began home schooling, we started off with this as a calling. Answering it, with a devotion to our Lord to nurture and teach our children at home. That calling stayed strong, especially with our guinea pigs (the first borns). Also, with the help of others who had this fresh zeal (referring to the awesome Moms Night Outs we had for hours on end).
As the years have passed; the zeal, the call waned away and home schooling has become more controlled and led by me (the home school mom) other than God controlled and led. Thus, it has become more and more a drudgery; to the point that it is also confusing trying to decide on the entire curriculum the children need. Perhaps, it is good to get into the closet of prayer; and surrender our call of being a home school teacher back to the One who willed this in the first place. In so doing, with that Joy and the Presence of God in complete control; I am confident He will guide myself and my fellow home school moms to the  subjects, books and so much the more He desires our children to learn from. Isn’t the Lord just wonderful on how He reveals just what we need at the hour of distress? All we need is Jesus, in complete control!
I was reading ‘The Old School House Magazine’ weekly newsletter and this week was about lesson planners, Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor wrote this; “God can use all these methods as they are yielded to His input first. Seek Him FIRST, and God will give you wisdom for each child.”  See, from a wise home school mom herself…SEEK HIM FIRST! Maybe it’s time to shut the curriculum magazines and shut the doors to our bedrooms, climb on our beds, open up the Word of God and the door to our hearts and truly seek God’s heart for the right schooling of our children! Amen?  "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
Read what Denise Walmsley of  Broad Room web site in her article, The Real Joy of Home schooling (A study on Ps.51); “With this Psalm God graciously and gently opened my eyes to see that because He has cleansed my heart and renewed my spirit, I am then able to teach His commands to my children. He has put me in a family in the honorable position of mother in a Christian home. He hasn't burdened or demanded of me; He has honored me, and blessed me. I can also hold onto the promise of Psalm 51, which promises that those I teach will turn back to God. The thing I am working for WILL happen. My children will turn to the Lord And along with this fresh insight I see that the Lord has also "restored to me the joy of thy salvation". The Lord really answered the prayer in Psalm 51 for me, and I praise Him.”  Doesn’t this sum it all up; it’s all about Jesus and impressing His love, His Character into the lives of  our children. The only way this can happen is to allow Him to have complete control of what all we teach, say and do with them everyday.
Please know, I pray daily for my fellow home school moms out in this world and I ask that you will in turn pray for me too.
"Create in me a new heart, Oh Lord,
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from thy presence Oh Lord,
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore to me the JOY of thy salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me."
    
BIO: Daneille Snowden (from Morganton, North Carolina) is wife to Rev. Brad Snowden, and a home school mom of three children; Nathan (15), Felecia (8) and Tabitha (4). Daneille has a degree in missions and also is an ordained minister. Most importantly she is a daughter to her Lord Jesus Christ.
------------------------------
NOW:  Abides in IL. Married 24 yrs. Homeschooled 15 1/2 yrs./ Children 9-20 yrs. old.

TEACHING KIDS HOW TO PRAY

© Daneille Gray Snowden  2012

TEACHING KIDS HOW TO PRAY

                                                                                                   By Daneille Gray Snowden

For the past several years the Lord has been prompting my heart to TRULY teach my children how to pray; especially by example. We are blessed to read God’s Word together each morning, along with scripture memorization and do a quick prayer. In the evening, we have our family Bible time with prayer. Yet, the Lord would not ‘let-up’ on my spirit. As I have watched them grow, I do see a weakness in their prayer lives. How? Well, when they spend five minutes in prayer; basically racing through a quick over view of praise and intercession. Obviously, the younger the child this is to be expected. As our children approach mental, emotional and of course spiritual maturity this should change. From the beginning of their lives we are responsible to teach them how to pray, when they get to the more mature age here is when we jump in with detail explanation on how to pray. 

Purchase a journal for your child. Allow them to pick one out or buy a plain one and allow them to decorate it.

  Your child should at this stage in their lives have their own Bible as well.

  First teach them how to pray, sharing with them the ability to be flexible in their prayer life. God has His plans for each of us for each day, including our intimate time with Him. Teach your children to be careful to not be the ones ‘in control’ of their time with God. But to totally come before Him in complete surrender. 

  Start your children off by writing in a ‘Prayer List’ within their new prayer journal. Taking in account this lesson on how to pray.

  Divide the Prayer List into 3 categories:

Date Requested           Request         Date Answered

  Imagine as the days and weeks go by, when they get to put in the date the prayer was answered how their faith will grow. Isn’t that wonderful? 

  It is the job of the parent to teach their children how to pray and when to…not the church. They don’t instantly learn how to pray scripturally on their own. Deuteronomy 6:7 And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. (rd. vs. 8-10 as well). 

Let’s Begin:

I.)   Quiet place, private place to worship & pray. 

   *Praying In A Closet   

  Matthew 6:5-6 

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Isaiah 26:20 

Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.

       * Praying TO God and not FOR man.

       * Closet: inner chamber/ a secret room

 II.)  We must first "put off" our sin and self, and "put on" Christ. Repent of sins we may not even be aware of. God cleanse us and forgive us.  “Create in me a clean heart, cast me not away from Thy Presence and Renew a right spirit within me.” Ps. 51:10

            "And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:21-22) 

     * “…our heart condition matters more in worship than our voice, our good intentions or our actions. Without a cleansed heart, we simply cannot enter His presence or worship.”  [Nancy Missler = Entering Gods Presence] 

III.) Enter in God’s Presence With Worship & Praise

   Psalm 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms. 

  “Enter in His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” – Psalm 100:4 

   *It was considered arrogant intrusion to enter the presence of an earthly king without bowing down to his majesty, praising his greatness and authority, and thanking him for the privilege of his audience.  [Luis Yosefus]

   *Express how much God is worth to us. Worth of all thanks!

   *We were created to praise.  Revelation 4:11 

   *Praise and worship is the means of entering God’s presence. 

III.) Pray for the Lost Souls of this entire World by Praying for Workers (Believers to Witness the Gospel)

     *Luke 10:2 Therefore said he to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. 

   *Matthew 9:38 Ask therefore the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His harvest field 

IV.) Church 

     *To seek God/to have a revival of intercession.  

     *Prayer in church is a great spiritual power where believers pray together with unity of purpose (this is also known as 'in agreement'). 

     * The church to “seek guidance and the power to do as guided, 

     * Church is to pray for support. 

     *Church is to  pray for boldness for the Gospel. 

     *Church pray for specific healing. 

     *Local church and world church should  seek God, be consumed by Him, and work for Him. 

V.) Sick

    *James 5:15-16 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 

   *Mark 11:23-"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." 

VI.) Hurting: Lonely, Grieving, Depressed

    *Psalms 147:3 – He heals the broken heartened, binding up their wounds. 

    *Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. 

    *2Thessalonians 2:16, 17 – May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope which we don’t deserve, comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do. 

VII.) Provision: Financial, Open doors, Help

     *Raven: 1 Kings 17:2-7  Provision

    *The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way' (Ps 37:23). Guidance

     *Joshua was a helper to Moses. (Exodus 17:8-16, 24:13 - 25:8,  Numbers 13) As well as Caleb; (strength and faith). God send help to those who have devoted their lives to God’s Work.  Help

VIII.) Prayer for Family: different for the uniqueness of family. Always for salvation, healthy, happiness, peace, unity, provision, guidance and purpose. 

IX.) Pray for Self: Same as family.

X.) With Thanksgiving and Praise. Either before, after or even during ask for God’s directive in reading passages of scriptures. Meditate on His Word as He is faithful to give revelation. 

A strong prayer life leads to a strong family. A strong family alter time leads to a strong church. A strong praying Body of Believers leads to a Powerful Nation serving the True and living God.

It all starts at home!

How Do You Decorate Your Walls?

How Do You Decorate Your Walls?

Like most woman, I love my little castle to look crisp and sculptured. Especially when I have painted each room colors that took me months to decide on. 

Majority of home schools are mostly taught in the dining room, as others are blessed to have a special room designated as their class room. We have moved to different places during our schooling  adventure and though each place may seem to get bigger; the dining room is where we end up having our lessons.

My personal method periodically is unit studies. This means gobs of crafts, time lines, experiments and the list goes eternally on! In that...all of these wonderfully applied learning instruments are plastered to my sculptured WALL! 

How about you, my fellow home school teacher-where does all your child's current school work such as pictures, time lines and crafts get displayed? The more the students, grant you;  the more the challenge-NO DOUBT! 

I have been in droves of home schoolers homes. I have seen ones where home schooling papers are displayed all through-out the house on walls,  tops of tables and refrigerators. Then I have been in homes where nothing is displayed anywhere. Wow!

I have three children; one of whom is now grown. I know you have been told this by all the older mom's; "Enjoy your kids now, they grow up so fast." Let me tell you...THEY ARE RIGHT! I miss my son's beautiful art work on the wall. But, I do have two girls who are embellishing them quite nicely.

Pondering this, the V 8 moment happened...is it about me anyways? This makes my girls feel honored, esteemed and proud that their hard work is displayed for all who enter mama's castle. When people stop by, usually before they leave they get to be entertained by my students as they reteach their present unit study by showing them their displays. 

So, mom or dad...I want to encourage you to add a little more of some unique and special decor to your walls. Slab on that lovely art work and lesson on your lovely walls and see some faces that you adore just glow! This is just another wonderful way to lift up your child's heart showing them how proud you are of them.

Have fun decorating! 

Memorizing Scripture for Children

  Let me tell you a teeny tiny story on 'why' I became impassioned to teach my

children to memorize God's Word. My best friend (Kelly) had her children before I. She is one of those woman that seems to always smile and talk about her Jesus. When her children were born, her world was filled with God's love gushing out into those little souls all the more! When my new husband and I would drive several hours for a visit, she would share with me how her 2 yr. old knew several scriptures. She then demonstrated this to me as little raspy voiced Adam would bellow verse after verse. By the time I had my first child and she her last (both were boys who were born in the fall) her two iddie biddies were quoting more scriptures than I could...and they didn't know how to read yet! Wow! Impressed beyond measure, I then asked do they understand all they are quoting. In their child's mind, I quickly found out-- they sure did! 
  From that point on; as soon as my son turned 3 yrs. old he was quoting God's Word. His first verse wasn't at all what I thought it would be either. It was Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." As he learned this verse, he also slowly memorized the books of the Bible and some catechism. I have three children as well...all three are learning God's Word and have started memorizing before they could read. In matter of fact they memorized better when they couldn't. 
  My son graduated 2 years ago from high school with hundreds of verses in his mind and soul. Equipping him to face life as a Soldier in God's Army.
  Several mom's have come to me privately and asked how to get our children to memorize. The answer is different for each child and parent who is doing the teaching. I believe children when they are really little have similar learning styles...a lot are kinesthetic or practical (learn by doing). I realize that is not always the case yet generally. 
  Find your childs learning style and teach him. It may be repetition, games and music. WARNING...all of these cannot be done daily but mixed up due to burn out and eventually they will be boring to your child and you and in the end: not work. 
  The number ONE key to teach your children is CONSISTENCY. Daily...every day over and over again. Frustrating sometimes? Oh yea!!! But oh so worth it in the end. We do scriptures 4 days a week. When my son was over several hundred we had to divide up the scriptures in 3 general themes and would do 1 theme for 3 days (per day) and played fun drills on the 4th. I made up quizzes, games and the boring WRITE YOUR SCRIPTURES as well.  
  All in all, this is teaching your child diligence, which is the most important area of his/her life.Their souls are being fed and they become stronger to live the life God has ordained them to live. This is a normal part of their lives: reading, praying and studying God's Word is just as normal as brushing their teeth. My hearts desire is that they will only continue as they become adults and in turn teach their future generations to memorize God's Word in their hearts.
  Did you know most Muslim children are taught to memorize the Koran and other Islamic writings? This is part of their education. Countries all over the world instruct their children to memorize their 'holy book'.  Shouldn't we as Christians be all the more passionate about teaching and having our children memorize God's Word?
  Go for it! Teach your children to memorize the Word of God!

  
FREE:  http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1-3182/?list=Free_Stuff

Teaching Bible Memory

published by Rod and Staff Publishers

  

Kids of Courage Beliefs Comparison Chart

I am very impressed with these comparison charts of the different beliefs (religions) all across the world.
Excellent teaching resource for those who want their children to better understand the various regions they may be studying in geography.
This is also good if you are teaching your children to pray for the salvation of lost (with out knowing Jesus as their loving Savior).

 http://www.kidsofcourage.com/?cat=16

JUST CLICK ON THE LINK...ENJOY LEARNING!!!!
You can simply join Kids of Courage a ministry to children from the Voice of the Martyrs.

BOOK REVIEW: The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood

 Book Review By Daneille Gray Snowden :

 THE COMPANION  GUIDE TO BEAUTIFUL GIRLHOOD 

By Shelley Noonan and Kimberly Zach         Published by Pumpkin Seed Press

  http://www.pumpkinseedpress.net/

Mom's have you desired to teach your daughters vital life lessons-derived from God's Word using older woman's (mother's) wisdom they attained? Mabel Hale in the 1940's wrote Beautiful Girlhood; an excellent handbook for mother's and daughters to apply as young woman grow into womanhood. 

In this Companion, the authors purpose is to apply Biblical passage with a spiritual application. She used questions to ponder, assignments to read certain Bible texts and interactions between a mother and daughter.

Published in 2000; Shelley Noonan has since toured the country sharing her heart on the subject matters covered in Beautiful Girlhood in addition to several other aspects of Godly Woman/Girlhood.

There are 32 character lessons taught through-out both book and companion. Subjects such as friendships, showing respect to your elders/others, outward beauty, presenting ourselves as ladies, relationship with boys, dreams they have-how it lines up to God's plan for their lives, being truthful and the list continues. I had a wonderful, sweet godly mother who was also a true lady. She poured into me God's Word. Yet, I so wish she knew of Mabel Hales book when I was a young girl. Shelley Noonan has been  used by God to directly line up my heart according to God's Word on how to not only be a Woman of God but a Mother to my children as He designed it. My 12 year old daughter simply 'Get's It'! As we follow the format Shelley has laid...the lessons taught are ingrained not only in our minds but souls!

After we read Beautiful Girlhood together; we begin with a few discussion questions (causing mother and daughter to converse on vital, deep and heart felt subjects). Following this,  the Companion takes us to Biblical application and activities. My daughter has been taught from the characters in God's Word who have lived out that particular godly character being taught in each chapter. Finally, a Journal is being written by my daughter as Shelley challenges and encourages the reader to write their thoughts about the scriptures she has read and how they distributed that distinct character being taught. 

Shelley also has a blog site that follows along this same format as she adds even more inspirational teachings and thoughts from God's Word. It is:  http://www.btwixtandbtweenblog.com/wordpress/ .

I encourage you to click onto Pumpkin Seed Press and order both Beautiful Girlhood and the Companion Guide. I promise you it will be an amazing blessing to you and your daughters as well as increase your relationship with one another as it has with my daughters and I. 

http://www.pumpkinseedpress.net/wordpress/

UNIT STUDY RESOURCES

UNIT STUDY RESOURCES

Social studies, history, writing, grammar, art, music and the list goes on what you can accomplish by doing unit studies!

Several have asked me what is a Unit Study? Some home schoolers tell me that this is not their personality or objective. That is fine too. I started out with a basic ‘follow-the-home-school-curriculum’ routine. For me that would be fine, I like staying within the lines. But, not for the kinesthetic learner in my son. Thus, one of my home school girl friends lent me a book by Amanda Bennett and that was all it took. We went nuts, our first unit study was on farm animals. The resources were everywhere and it was a great learning experience to find them. Also I enjoy sharing my treasures with other home school mom’s who may want to do a lesson on a particular subject. 
We then did the Civil War…wow…well, I went rather long on it! J But, it really made Nathan’s learning experience resourceful, memorable and fun! I weary being limited by what others have outlined my child to learn. My girls were interested in sewing.
We did a fun unit study on sewing. We have done several little studies on the different holidays, seasons and other. Sure, it may take some work on your part. But, oh my it is so worth it! Plus, there are many unit studies out there that all you have to do is follow their “yellow brick road” they already paved for you. Check them out!

The queen of unit studies, Amanda Bennett where I was first inspired by her book on how to do unit studies. I am thrilled to see after 18 years of writing unit studies she is has incorporated unit studies for one week too. You will be inspired! 
http://unit-study.com/?vm=r
My second most used resource for unit studies is Cindy Downes from Okalahoma Home School. She is an author, home schooled her children and very talented. What is great about this site is the fact it is free! A great source for your social studies.
http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/unitstudies.html?vm=r
Here is an article on What Is A Unit Study?
http://www.unitstudies.com/UnitStudies.aspx
Within Unit Studies we first started just using normal folders and still do on occasion. But, flap books are the norm. Their popularity started big within the past 8 years. When I went to a flap book seminar, my children were there with me. They had so much fun and were far more coordinated than I. But, they are so cool!
Here are‘how-to’ flap book resources: All About Flapbooks/What can I do with a FLAPBOOK?
http://www.unitstudies.com/books/index.aspx?vm=r
http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks.htm
http://www.homeschool.consumerhelpweb.com/subjects/printables/flap-book-templates.htm?vm=r
These ladies are who I personally met and enjoyed, very talented: http://lapbooklessons.com/TemplateFlap.html?vm

I would encourage you to get their book: The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook
By Tammy Duby & Cyndy Regeling / Meggie Dee Press.
Lastly, but not really because with Unit Studies it is endless: for those of you who has not learned yet about Unit Studies here is a very basic article on: How To Plan a Unit Study  By Beverely Hernandez.
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitstudies/ht/unitstudy.htm
There our hundreds upon hundreds of individuals who have already put together wonderful unit studies (as I have). Just type in your search engine on a subject your child is interested in or perhaps a subject they are needing to learn, like government. Then include the words unit study. As your child gets older he or she will learn to do the research themselves. The library is very important to utilize. Taking your child there and picking out the books that will fit with the unit of study you have chosen is plain old fun!
I have been home schooling for 15 years with the past 13 applying the unit study method. Check it out; find a new, resourceful way to teach and for your children to learn!

Daneille Gray Snowden