Free Write

My daughter Miranda will be 12 in the Fall and starting with the pre-scholar classes. I called a good friend of mine to pick her brain on how I could better prepare Miranda for the challenges of these classes. Her ideas have worked and been successful...and so I have to share!

Over the last month I have over heard Miranda make the comment that she only has a few more months to play, before she is a scholar an needs to buckle down. I asked Miranda what abilities she sees scholar age kids doing (we use the lingo of the different phases in our home all the time, so the kids are fully aware of what phase (core, love of learner or scholar) they are in and what it looks like). I brought up names of some of the kids we know that portray a great example of a scholar. She said she knows that they read and write a lot more. Writing was the specific thing I was hoping she would bring up because I had a plan to help her in this area. We talked about writing and how it could greatly improve her work and studies as a scholar. I linked it directly to the things she loves like learning and studying animals so it was easy for her to see the value of writing.

I chose a quiet moment in the afternoon to do all this. After we talked a bit I brought her to the table and told her we were going to do something fun. For 5 minutes both her and I were going to do our own free write. I with my own paper and pen and Miranda with her own. For 5 minutes we could write about anything. I treated it like a game. We could make up a story or write a letter or poem. Then when 5 minutes were up we would each read each others stories out loud. It has been so much fun to do this with Miranda. It has been powerful for her to see me value writing. And for me it is a good time for me to improve my writing skills and handwriting. We have loved this time together and seeing what each of us has in our minds to write about. And for Miranda it will help her become very comfortable with and love to write. She has already increased the time to 10 minutes or longer if she really wants to finish. I am fine with that because if she wants to finish a great idea in her mind she should be able to (one reason I home school).

March is the month we are reading and studying the Declaration of Independence for our adult book group. We are hoping for an excellent turnout this month. Here is a link I trust you can go to to help in your studies. It is Skousen's website. http://www.nccs.net/articles/index.html

We meet at my house March 22nd @7pm. Have your husbands read also so you can bring them! Discussion and desert!

School Today

What did we spend time doing in our school today? We shaped our character! What... seriously! Absolutely!

The best lessons in life are in the "classic" books that most of the world claims as being "out of date". What do we know of the Forefathers of our past that made a difference in the world? We know that they studied the Bible and classics. They read from the great minds before them! No liquid down version from a text book, but straight to the source.

I have been reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott out loud to all my children. Today we stopped to discuss something we pulled out of the book. This is the great thing about the classics, there are always vital lessons to be learned. No lesson plans needed. Just read and discuss. So, this was the part when Jo and her mother are talking about how to get a handle on anger. Marmy, as they call mama, always has profound things to say. She is a mentor to me! She says that she has anger  every day of her life. So I asked my kids at that point which of them also has anger every day. All of us raised our hands. Then Marmy says that she has learned not to show it (her anger). So I asked the kids what it would take to not allow others to see their anger. Dallin piped in right away with an example of how he experienced anger yesterday but went out to the porch with the cats instead of letting others see his anger. He said he talked to the cats and they helped calm him. I thought this was a great example, so we talked about other ideas and ways we could not show our anger. Then I returned to reading the book, because in the very next sentence Marmy says " and I still hope to learn not to feel it (angry)". So then we talked about how we could not even feel angry. It was a great discussion! The character shaping comes natural when reading the classics.

If we miss the opportunity to read to our children (even when they can read on their own) then we miss the great mentoring opportunities that these books prompt us with.

Yes it has been a while since this blog has had some attention! Poor blog. But it is in full swing again with improvements to come!

Take notice of the postings on the right side of the blog. Our book group is starting back up next month. And we have classes for all ages. If you homeschool and feel impressed to be part of our group feel free to contact me.

This coming Fall we are prepared to launch our  Commonwealth for homeschool families. We are so exited at all this offers you (as the parent mentor) and your children! We focus on Leadership Education to inspire and lift each soul to his/her highest potential.

This May our Shakespeare students will be performing "The Taming of the Shrew". Please look for further information so you can attend this spectacular event with your family!

I learned 3 important lessons this week:

* The hardships I go through are nothing compared to others throughout the world. There is so much sorrow, heartache and spiritual darkness out there. I have mourned with those that mourn this week.

* Judging others is the very thing that stands in the way of us helping lift another soul!

* The phrase : "You can't teach and old dog new tricks" I have changed my mind and no longer believe it! With FAITH in Christ all things are possible!

The difference between a degree and education is a yearning. When one is willing to "pay the price" (meaning time, effort, and huge amounts of study) for a great education, the efforts given are not as hard because of the yearning to do so.

Could it be that what we were born for was to create "Great" souls?

"Find a great leader in history, and you will nearly always find two central elements of their education-classics and mentors. From Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington to Gandhi, Newton and John Locke, to Abigail Adams, Mother Theresa and Joan of Arc-great men and women of history studied other great men and women."

"Thomas Jefferson is a model of this system. He was one of the best students in history, and his education is in many ways a model for successful leadership education today." Oliver DeMille

As a family we love learning from the classics!

The Founders were great men and women of genius and inspiration, but it didn't just happen to them. They were ordinary people who chose to live good, honest lives and to "pay the price" of greatness.

In our day, the world cries out for good, honest people to pay that same price. Make your own education a Thomas Jefferson Education, then pass it on to your children, and begin exerting statesmanship in your community--and you will become the change you wish to see in the world!

If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves!

-Thomas Edison

Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free. And then to realize the prisoner was you. -Corrie ten Boom

Our greatest success and sense of fulfillment in life often comes after our greatest heartache and challenge. -Kevin Hall

"When you look into the eyes of your children and grandchildren, when you picture their greatness and potential, do you feel they are getting the education that is up to par with who they were born to become?"

"Greatness isn't the work of a few geniuses, it is the purpose of each of us. It is why we were born. Every person you have ever met is a genius. Some of us have chosen not to develop it, but it is there. It is in us. It is in your spouse. It is in each of your children. You live in a world of geniuses. How can we settle for anything less than the best education? How can we tell our children that mediocre education will do, when greatness is available?"

"Calls will come to our generation in the years ahead, announcing new challenges and introducing new opportunities. Our generation and that of our children, will face it's share of crises, just like every generation in the past. When those calls come, will they be ready?"

"The answer depends on how we educate the next generation." Oliver DeMille

I was having a conversation with a man the other day (we buy raw milk from him) and it led into political views. He seemed amazed that I believed the same as he did in this area. He shared some thoughts on what he felt needs to be done in our nation. I looked at him and said "In all honesty sir, I believe what this nation needs is another George Washington." He paused a moment and agreed, but said there are non to be found. I said "Mr. West, I am raising two George Washington's in my home right now!" He was dumb founded for a moment and then said that he had never heard anyone talk that way before but that he really liked it.

At the dinner table tonight we were having some great family discussion, and then some how it lead into everyone sharing things they loved about other members of the family around the table. As I was looking into the eyes of my 3 year old Zane I had an Aha ha moment. I had an overwhelming feeling of his greatness and his genius. Zane has a very loud voice and he feels passionate about being heard. My aha ha was that some day he will use that voice and need to be heard for great things. He will share his purpose with millions. Maybe it was God helping me to see things this way. For this I am grateful and have gained a deeper love and understanding for my loud and boisterous Zane!

Since we are a Leadership Education family my children never hear the words "you should be at this level" or "your behind on where you need to be" or "we need to catch up". My children know that they are FREE to learn about things that interest them and on the level they feel ready for. We study and learn together as a family from the classics. The relationship I have with my children is so important to me. If I am lacking in my relationship then I can not INSPIRE then. A lot of my inspiring comes from my own examples of reading great books, writing (ink and paper), service, prayer, ect. And the other way I inspire is through discussion with my children. I discuss with them as a mentor/mom who loves them and wants them to understand all that they are ready for.

I love this journey!

One of the books I am reading this month is so amazing. It is called "And There Was Light" by Jacques Lusseyran. He is a Hero of the French Resistance. And even more amazing about him...he was blind. A tragic accident at the age of 8 left him blind for the rest of his life. Never in my life have I read a book where every word is so eloquent in it's description. It is so ahh inspiring!

In his own words he says: "What a mother can do for a blind child is explained in a few words: give him birth a second time. That is what my mother did for me, and it was her courage, not mine, that was called out. My only job was to turn myself over to her, believe what she believed, and use her eyes every time I missed my own."

"Joy does not come from outside, for whatever happens to us it is within" Jacques Lusseyran

This book is his Autobiography.

I love reading books like this because it makes History come to life for me. People like Jacques get into my head and heart and become a part of me!

Terina forwarded this link to me and it is very worthy of taking the time to listen to! This lady is a home educating mom in Tulsa. I absolutely loved all that she had to say and it rang true in my heart!

http://www.unpluggedmom.com/blog/education-transformation/im-here-to-talk-you-out-of-school/

What is a Colloquia?

Before I explain...if you haven't read my WELCOME post...please do!

The word Colloquia (or Colloquim) is a word that Thomas Jefferson was very familiar with. It means: pertaining to common conversation, or to mutual discourse". Thomas Jefferson was part of a club where when the men were together they would discuss the classics and literature each of them was studying. Often times it was not necessarily the reading that brought forth great thoughts but the discussing of the books. Discussing brought them to newer heights in their understanding of themselves and the world they belonged to.

I once read a classic book where I did not feel a connection with it and had a hard time understanding it's depth . When I attended the discussion I discovered that the book was all about leadership. I then wanted to go back and read it again with that perspective in order to gain more from it! Through others insight it gave me what I needed for my life!

I invite you to come to our monthly book discussions. Your insight might help some one else. Some of the books we are reading this semester are specific to helping us understand the TJed principles in order to build our community and have a Commonwealth school here!

Click the links on the side to get a jump start and order your book for next month so you have enough time to read it!

Love you all and can't wait to meet you!

Welcome!

Hi! I am a homeschool mom of 4 beautiful and amazing children! I love to cook healthy meals, read, garden, explore the outdoors and stick to a budget. I really have too many loves to list, but those are some! We just moved from Utah to Tulsa, Oklahoma with a job change via my husband. We love Oklahoma and the possibilities we see here!

As a child and youth I went through the public school system. I did everything to keep up and yet it was never good enough. I was very “dumbed down” by my teachers and peers. And somewhere along the way I believed I could not learn, read or write. It was hard for me to find my “genius” because of the beliefs I held within myself.

When I was 21 I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints. It was a wonderful experience sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others! During this time I made an amazing discovery about myself. I could learn! I can read! And I can write! Gaining this knowledge has changed my life forever.

I married an amazing guy who is very open minded and very supportive! Once we started our family I knew I wanted different options for my children than what I had. Along the way of carefully praying about what was best for my children…I was led to the homeschool community.

Within the homeschool community I was introduced to a philosophy called the Thomas Jefferson Education. Through the Thomas Jefferson Education (or TJed) philosophy I have been completely inspired as a mother and mentor to my children. Our homeschool has taken on new meaning and lengthened to greater heights. I have fully embraced the TJed ways and hope to share with others the greatness!

My vision stems on my greatest desires for my children. I know they can reach their fullest potential as they get a great leadership education and discover their life’s mission and who God intended for them to be. Our nation needs great leaders! Who better than mine and yours!

So with that being said along with building a TJed community here in Tulsa (and surrounding area) I also plan to establish a Commonwealth School here in Tulsa. I am so exited for others to reap the benefits of a great leadership education along with my family! This school is meant to enhance what he/she is doing already.

Here is the breakdown for my Vision:

Jan. 2012 Start a Moms (Dad’s invited) Book Colloquia

Jan. 2012 Start kids groups (like Liberty Girls) talk to Moms and meet the needs

July 2012 Mentor Training in Utah (any parents are welcome to do the training)

Sept. 2012 Start a youth class (like "Shakespeare Conquest")

July 2013 More Mentor training in Utah

Sept. 2013 Commonwealth school open in Tulsa!

Over the next year and a half, it is my hope that you and your children will take this journey with me. Educate yourselves (hence, the book colloquia) and be involved in our community and school!

To learn more about what TJed is and Commonwealth schools click the links on the left.

I love you all and can't wait to meet you!