Prescription for the New Year

Welcome to January, 2013!!

Now, unlike homeschooling moms in the southern hemisphere (who are just getting ready to start school — it is mid-summer there!), you are probably facing a wall of inertia at the moment. I mean, didn’t you just give every ounce of energy into creating a fabulous Christmas experience for your family?? Not only that, only a few months ago you launched a new school year for your kids! Whew!! No wonder an insurmountable Wall of Inertia—sort of like the Great Wall of China—is looming over you.

So, what’s a mom to do? Here are three suggestions that come from my own struggles to get through that wall, particularly when January can be so grey and tedious. Here’s the list:

Inspire
Analyze
Energize

First of all, Inspire. When facing obstacles of any sort, it has been remarkably helpful to read someone else’s story about how they overcame the odds, broke through the wall, and achieved their goals. Inspiration provides that first step of getting our hearts to believe that it is possible to keep going. That is why we love stories of people like Joni Eareckson Tada and Corrie ten Boom, because they remind us that there is incredible blessing on the other side of our pain. So, I want to encourage you to read or reread another family’s story of homeschooling, one that will inspire you! (If you aren’t sure what to read, check out my Once Upon A Time ebook, part of our downloadable collection.)

One inspirational story that I think of often is the story of Gladys Aylward. Gladys was convinced she was supposed to go to China to serve as a missionary. Unfortunately, her lack of academic ability—they told her she was too dumb—caused her to be dismissed from missionary school and rejected as a candidate for missions. This setback, however, did not change Gladys' determination to do what she felt God had called her to do. In 1930, after saving up her wages as a servant, she bought a ticket to travel to China by train—across Russia! What was she going to do in China? It didn’t sound profound, because her opportunity was to become a servant, a helper, to an aging missionary, Agnes Lawson. But in this position, Gladys learned to speak Chinese and to love the Chinese. In 1932, after Mrs. Lawson’s death, Gladys was appointed "foot inspector" for the Chinese government, as a new imperial law was decreed to eliminate the practice of foot binding—and no one else in this region was as suited as Gladys to radically break with cultural tradition. This amazing job gave her an opportunity to share about Jesus with villagers all over this province, something no one else had been able to accomplish. Later, when the region was invaded by Japanese forces, she led one hundred hungry, tired, and frightened orphans across the mountains to safety. Gladys did many other amazing things that you can read about in Geoff and Janet Benge’s biography of her, part of the YWAM Publishing Christian Heroes: Then and Now series. Her story is just one among many that remind us that God never calls us without providing the strength and resources we need to accomplish that call—including homeschooling!

The second step is Analyze. Take some time—alone, with your spouse or with an encouraging friend—to ask yourself specifically what factors are weighing you down. Are you the Type-A driven homeschool mom who can never say “no,” and who thinks that if maxing out is good, then adding a few more pieces would be even better? (I can speak from experience on that one: simplify, simplify, simplify!) Do you have a child who is not thriving on that expensive curriculum, but you are determined to wring every bit of value you can out of it? (Simply put, which is more valuable, your child or the money you spent on the curriculum?) Are you suffering the exhaustion of trying to keep up with the the Joneses — homeschooling style? (Ah, dear one, NO ONE keeps up with those guys. Did you know they don’t really exist?) Write down the specific issues and then prayerfully and carefully consider your options. What can go out with the trash????

Cute Kids After you've decided what to toss, take some time to map out the rest of your school year. I'm not talking about a rigid schedule, just a framework to help you captain the ship more effectively. (After all, your homeschool may look a little different without that curriculum that takes 5 arguments and 6 hours to finish every day!) I find routines with flexibility are incredibly helpful to enable kids and moms to relax. Somehow, knowing generally what is happening next, gives a family a sense of stability and comfort. If you are already a schedule type and your family is overwhelmed by your military-like transitions, you can map things out too–just remember your challenge is to schedule time for fun and relaxation!

Last, but not least, Energize. As a Homeschool Practitioner, I am going to write you a prescription for beating the winter blues. If you are not someone who typically exercises, insert a 15-minute walk into your day. This will actually release endorphins that help improve your mood and clear your mind! Read a chapter of Proverbs every day. I believe that there are thirty-one chapters for a reason! Proverbs will give you the wisdom you need in the moment that you need it.

Catan Finally, make lots of room in your heart, your mind and your schedule to add in great doses of humor, fun and games! It will provide an energizing zest for both you and your children, making each day easier and more profitable for all. Some games that promote logic and strategic thinking are "The Settlers of Catan", "Risk" and "Monopoly". Some fun word games are "Boggle" and "Scrabble" (check out a variation of Scrabble called "Take 2" that is faster paced.) For younger kids, an interesting game that isn't too tedious for parents is, "Snorta" and little children can usually play "Toss Up" if they have good counting skills. With the possible exception of "Snorta" these games can be integrated into your school day without guilt because of the skills they teach and your kids will love it!

I hope these ideas will encourage you, and don’t forget, you can get a HUGE dose of encouragement from my “Encouragement for Homeschool Moms” collection, which is 100% downloadable and is on sale for the next 5 days!

Remember, stay relational.

01 Apr 2013

How God Made You—and Your Kids!—Smart: Spatial Intelligence

I used to live next door to an amazing artist, Alexis Wilson Russell, a vibrant painter and committed Christian. Her Cherokee husband (now deceased), was a preacher of the Gosepl of Jesus, and, together, they had ministered in many nations of the world—before ending up as my neighbors! Here is a photo of their tiny dining room, displaying an artist's love of color, texture, and visual interest.

Many years ago, we accompanied Alexis and Rod to a Native American gathering in South Dakota, which to my wondering eyes was a brilliant tapestry of culture, color and sound. As we were leaving, Alexis spotted a Native woman's spectacular regalia, and ran to ask permission to take a photo in order to paint it. I remember watching Alexis paint this glorious painting, and yet, as an absolute novice when it comes to all things artistic, I still have no idea how she was able to recreate this. Here is the final result—a detailed, vibrant depiction of beauty, color and Native culture that still takes my breath away.

How can anyone do this??

Well, my friends, for those gifted in Spatial Intelligence—whether expressed in painting, architecture, flower arranging, sculpture, or Lego masterpieces—working with color and design is the joyous stuff of life! (The following is excerpted from my book, Reaping the Harvest.)

This intelligence could be described as being "Picture Smart." People who are strong in this ability tend to think in pictures rather than in words. They can visualize solutions to problems, can see the answers to questions, and can understand the dimensions of a possible scenario. They are brilliant when it comes to using maps, drawing diagrams, designing landscapes, loading cars, painting three-dimensional masterpieces, and more. They have a grasp of the foundational architecture and artistry of the space that surrounds us. Painters, architects, landscape designers, interior decorators, web designers, traffic engineers, design teams who create new styles for cars and trucks, map makers, draftsmen, sculptors, cabinet makers, and more all display the wonderful gift of this intelligence.

If you or your children are strong in this intelligence, then come to grips with the fact that, somewhere in your house, a place needs to be set aside for art projects. Yes, it will be messy at times. But that is a very small price to pay for opening the door for these kinds of learners!

Provide opportunities and encouragement (perhaps even lessons!) in drawing and painting. For an at-home approach to teaching art, check out the curriculum of Artistic Pursuits.

Legos and other three-dimensional materials allow students to work with another aspect of Spatial intelligence, giving opportunities for exploring space and design.

Encourage students to follow their interests in garden design or interior decorating—playing with color and texture—even if on a very small scale.

Photography, graphic design, PowerPoint, craft projects, cake decorating. . .all fall within this intelligence. So have fun, make a mess, and watch your—or your child's—genius blossom!!

Remember, stay relational.

Diana

P.S. For students using my History Revealed curriculum, there are constant opportunites, often using humor, to express what is being learned through the Spatial Intelligence. Here's just one example, from Unit 2—Missionaries & Barbarians—Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries:

Design an advertisement to enlist "The Few, the Brave, the Godly" to share in Brendan the Navigator's adventures as he sails west into uncharted seas.

29 Mar 2013

How God Made You—and Your Kids—Smart: The Naturalist Intelligence

Posted in -- Christian Living --, -- Family --, --Education-- | 1 Comment

Meet my dear friend, Paul Rushworth, a senior zoo keeper at Werribee Open Range Zoo, in Melbourne, Australia. As you can see, he has quite a way with animals! In this pose with an African serval, Paul demonstrates the trusting relationship he has built over time with this lovely, wild cat.

One of the highlights of our trip to Australia, in 2009, was when Paul and his wife, Chareen, took us on a tour of the zoo where he works. That was a remarkable day, seeing Paul's gift in action with lots of different animals, including these amazing meerkats (he trained them to not bite the hand of those feeding them—something he told us AFTER we had fed these inquisitive creatures!).

So, how is that some people are incredibly good with animals? And why are some people absolutely brilliant when it comes to plants, beaches, mountains, the ocean or rivers—you know, the great outdoors?

It is a way of being smart, one that we might not pay much attention to in our culture of concrete buildings, offices, apartments, and highways. Yet, for the folks who are gifted in this way, it is a key to opening the doors of opportunity, self-motivation in learning, and fantastic careers. (The following is excerpted from my book, Reaping the Harvest.)

This intelligence could be described as being "Nature Smart." It is the ability to recognize varieties of trees and bushes in the woods (and which of them provide food); to observe the clouds in the sky and know what weather is coming; to spot birds in flight and know what manner of bird it is (along with their songs, colorings, nest building habits, etc.); to "read the rocks" when looking at a geological structure; to cultivate an award-winning rose; to navigate the ocean by the stars; and more. This intelligence is used by gold prospectors, farmers, sailors, zoologists, botanists, geologists, oceanographers, lion tamers, rodeo cowboys, mountain climbers, amateur gardeners, veterinarians, hunting guides, and anyone else who works with animals or in the great outdoors. In many cultures and time periods in history, this was the "make it or break it" intelligence—without it, you had no food, no warmth, got lost in the woods or on the ocean, and died.

An excellent example of this intelligence is displayed in George Washington Carver, the celebrated African-American who revolutionized farming in the southern states through the cultivation and use of the peanut. Through his genius in this naturalist intelligence, he recognized that the peanut would restore nutrients to the depleted soil and invented dozens of commercial uses for this lowly legume.

So, if you or your child are strong in this intelligence, my first word of advice is GO OUTSIDE!! As often as possible, go outside. Whenever you can, go outside.

With that clearly stated, then consider what sort of naturalist you are dealing with. Is the great outdoors that beckons, or are animals the love of your student's life?

If it is animals, is it house pets (like a cat or dog) or farm animals (like a horse or cow) that have captivated your child? Is it wild animals (like you find at a zoo), marine animals (like you find at an aquarium), birds (in the garden, the aviary, or the raptor rehabilitation center)?

Once you have sorted out the possibilities, consider how to open this door. It might be volunteering to muck out stalls at a stable down the road, or volunteering at the rescue shelter, or even getting a pet.

At this point, some of you are saying, "But I don't WANT animals!! They are messy, noisy, smelly, and require maintenance!!" I know. But I also know you love your child, and want the best, regardless of the cost. Something to consider very carefully, dear ones.

Perhaps you have a child who isn't interested in animals, but, just like George Washington Carver, they delight in being outside. For them, consider whether they like to play with plants, play with trees, play with dirt, play with rocks or play at the beach. Do they like to hike, to go camping, to climb mountains? If so, then my cautious advice is the same as above: take a deep breath, and open the door. Walk in the woods, drive to the park, wander to the beach, take a hike. . .

It's a challenge for many of us. But for the ones we love who are gifted in this intelligence, it will make a world of difference!

Remember, stay relational.

Diana

P.S. It was an absolute delight to come up with Naturalist intelligence opportunities for students using my History Revealed curriculum. It also stretched me WAY beyond my comfort zone, since this is not my strength! Here's just one example of the way we encourage the Naturalist students, taken from Unit Five—Assyria & Babylon—of Ancient Civilizations & the Bible. This is a Motivating Suggestion, provided as an option for reporting what has been studied about the ancient Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Plant a miniature version of the Hanging Gardens. Show what you've planted and tell the theories about how the Hanging Gardens were built.

27 Mar 2013

How God Made You—and Your Kids—Smart: Musical

Posted in -- Christian Living --, -- Family --, -- History --, --Education-- | Leave a comment

Music! For some of us, this is the word that makes us glow inside. . . Music can powerfully stir our hearts, vividly connect us to memories, and help us express emotions ranging from joy all the way to grief. In a profound and practical way, music adds a depth of richness to our everyday lives, doesn't it?

With this in mind, let's take a peek into this "Music Smart" intelligence (excerpted from my book, Reaping the Harvest).

Musical—Working with Rhythm and Sound

People who are strong in this area enjoy listening to music, as well as making music. They might be instrumentalists, vocalists, percussionists. They could make instruments; they could play instruments. They might like classical music, country-western music, Polynesian music, jazz music, rhythm and blues, folk music, opera, twentieth century music, African music, Renaissance madrigals, or Japanese music. They might like woodwinds, brass, strings, or percussion. They could play Sousa marches on the CD player to do chores, or a Bach violin sonata to help them write an English composition. This intelligence has to do with rhythmic tapping, soft humming, original composing, guitar strumming, tuneless whistling. Someone strong in this area might very well "sing for their supper" and for any other opportunity that comes their way!

An example of a person strong in this intelligence would be Johann Sebastian Bach. He was a church organist who composed original church music on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, many of the people of his own time hated it! Too many new ideas!! However, many years later, Felix Mendelssohn discovered Bach's manuscripts and shared them with the rest of the world—which led to an astonishing growth in popularity of this music, which was composed for the glory of God!

If you or any of your kids are strong in this intelligence, step outside of the box! That means, you can look for opportunities to sing your way through subjects. For instance, you can actually learn the countries of the world by singing them! And, though this might be obvious, let me say that for these learners, take the time, trouble and expense to get them music lessons if they are interested. The benefits are numerous—not the least of which is that they will have the opportunity to SHINE! And, by all means, check out Sing 'N Learn—they have lots of educational products that utilize this intelligence.

Remember, stay relational!

Diana

P.S. Here's my personal disclosure statement: I LOVE music!! I love to hear it, work with it, sing it, play it, compose it, perform it. That made it especially delightful to add lots of music into my History Revealed curriculum. We not only learn about music during each chapter (the elements of music, church music, and famous composers), but there are also opportunities for students to create and perform music within their history studies. We also have a lot of fun with it—as you can see from the example below (part of the Recapping exercise in Unit 2 of World Empires, World Missions, World Wars):

In a small group, decide what the Industrial Revolution would have sounded like to the people of the day (crowded cities, railroads, machinery, telegraph, etc.). Once you have chosen the type of sounds that will best reflect this revolution, organize your team to make a rhythmic and discernible set of sounds, paying attention to rhythm, loudness, and pitch. Can onlookers identify your sounds?

25 Mar 2013

How God Made You—and Your Kids—Smart: Intrapersonal Intelligence

Posted in -- Christian Living --, -- Family --, --Education-- | Leave a comment

Okay. I admit it.

I am not the world's most faithful blogger.

Weeks ago, we had a plan to start blogging about the different ways people can be smart. And then life hit—sickness, Seattle, speaking. . . (my hands-down favorite was visiting my daughter in Seattle!)

So, with your kind permission, I'd like to get back to the plan.

We want to examine, over the next eight blog posts, the ways God has made each of us smart. You might think, "Oh, well, maybe YOU are smart, but I'm not. . .and I have the grades to prove it!"

Uh-huh. I understand.

And I beg to differ.

You are smart. And so are each of your kids. It's just that most of us have never learned that there are different ways of being smart, different "intelligences."

And, believe me, understanding this will make a HUGE difference in the way you approach your children's education.

So, excerpting from my book, Reaping the Harvest, here is the first one we want to consider: Intrapersonal or Knowing Yourself

This intelligence could be described as being "Self Smart." It does NOT mean being self-centered, self-absorbed, or selfish. Instead, it is the ability to be alone, solitary, by yourself without being afraid or bored. The ability to spend time alone in God's Word and in prayer requires intrapersonal intelligence. It is to be aware of your own strengths and limitations, to be confident in facing personal challenges. A person who is strong intrapersonally is able to stand against the crowd and do what he knows is right. I hope you are starting to see the incredible value this intelligence plays in our lives as Christians. People who are strong in this intelligence could be counselors, pastors, philosophers, entrepreneurs, pioneers, test pilots, writers, and people who study thinking (metacognition).

Eric Liddell, the Olympian whose life is portrayed in Chariots of Fire, gives an excellent example of the intrapersonal intelligence. He was able to withstand the incredible pressure of the press and the aristocracy of Great Britain when they tried to coerce him to run his 100-meter Olympic race regardless of his conviction against competing on Sunday. Instead, he did what he believed to be right and ended up winning the quarter-mile race, an event he had not even trained for!

If you or any of your kids are strong in this intelligence, be sure to give plenty of free time for thinking, reflecting, and being alone. Self-directed and independent study will be appreciated by this student, as will gaining your support for their ideas of entrepreneurial adventures!

Remember, stay relational,

Diana

P.S. Just want to let you know that my curriculum includes numerous opportunities and projects for the intrapersonal intelligence! You can learn more about the curriculum here.

20 Feb 2013

Our children engaging their own education—a true story!

Posted in -- Family --, -- History --, --Education-- | Leave a comment

Writing might not be your child's passion, it might be mechanics or science or swimming. . . But whatever it is, if they engage it, they will work harder than you can imagine—and find rewards far beyond an "A" on some test.

In January, 1999, my thirteen year old daughter, Melody, entered an essay competition for the V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars). She loves to write, and, when I think about it, it seems like she always has—she began writing stories when she was just five years old! So, whenever the opportunity arose to write during her homeschool years, she jumped at the chance.

The topic for that year's competition was "What Freedom Means to Me." Students in the U.S.A., in grades 7-9 from public, private and homeschool were invited to compete. Melody worked, reworked, and re-reworked her essay until she was satisfied. We were astounded by her words but wondered whether anyone else would be. It touched our hearts deeply and we felt that it was her very best.

One day the phone rang to tell Melody, "You've won the local competition!" That was exciting to her… but the tension began to mount. You see, she had won the local competition the previous year but had not won the district level.

Some time later the phone rang again. "You've won the district level!" Wow! That was a real victory for her… but the tension continued to mount. Would it be possible to win the state competition? No one from our town had ever won state.

"Melody? You won state!!" Shouts of joy, jigs danced in the hallway, brothers jumping up and down, deliriously proud parents… but the tension mounted to fever pitch. Would her essay be able to compete on a national level? Since we were going to be out of the country the next year (visiting New Zealand), this was Melody's last chance to place at national.

And then, the phone rang. I had had a headache and was lying down. Isaac was recovering from the flu and was reading a book. Bill was finishing lunch while Michael was out helping someone move. So, Melody answered the phone. We all heard, "Yes, uh huh, umm…." And then, suddenly, "You mean, I WON NATIONAL?????"

I vaulted off the bed, Isaac dropped his book, Bill turned in disbelief as we heard Melody jump for joy! The person on the other end of the line had just heard the news and was calling to congratulate Melody.

Never have I seen my daughter so radiant, so excited. It was a dream come true for her… and an amazing victory in our family. Immediately the thoughts came of the obstacles we had faced from well-meaning family when we decided to homeschool: "You'll ruin your children! How will they ever learn enough to get along in the world? What about computers? What about socialization? What about job skills?"

For years we fielded this kind of concerned comment, and had only our vision of what was possible in homeschooling our children to strengthen our commitment. In the past decade, there has been much more acceptance among family, friends, and community, but, nonetheless, for us there had been those remaining little doubts about the possibility of real success for someone who has never "gone to school." With that last phone call, all of those doubts were laid to rest. I know, and you know, that homeschoolers can do MARVELOUS things. . .but it's so encouraging when it happens right before your very eyes.

One more phone call came from the head of the national essay contest. Melody had stepped out for a moment, so I was on the receiving end.
"Mrs. Waring? Congratulations on your daughter's wonderful accomplishment. You are aware, of course, that Melody has won a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond?"

I dropped my teeth!

"And, we would really like to have Melody read her essay at the National Convention in August for all of our assembled members… about 15,000 people."

Gulp. Breathe. I picked up my teeth… and began to cry.

So, dear friends, wild things can happen when our kids actually engage with their education. . .when they work hard on the things that interest them most.

I thought, perhaps you might enjoy reading the essay, written by one of your very own homeschoolers, that won the 1999 National Essay Competition (now called the Patriot's Pen) for the V.F.W. Here 'tis:

What Freedom Means to Me
by Melody Waring

The year is 1942. A chill is in the air. A twelve-foot wall of powerful electrical fencing surrounds the camp. A sneering voice is calling out the roll. Suddenly an emaciated young man falls to the ground in a paralytic fit of coughing. The Nazi official laughs and kicks the man until he lies still, never to get up again. Perhaps somewhere people are happy. Perhaps somewhere people are free. Not in this German concentration camp.

The year is 1936. Behind a locked door, a woman clutches her small son desperately. From outside comes the even tread of marching. With a final, terrified glance at the bolt on the door, the woman hides in a dark corner of the room. She knows it is futile. No one escapes the secret police. No one has any freedom. Not in the Great Purge of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The year is 1955. A few miles away an orchard smolders in it's ruin. A leader of the Algerian revolt shakes his turbaned head sadly as he is led away by French army officials. He is to be thrown into a concentration camp and tortured, along with millions of other native Algerians. He and his people had struggled and revolted for freedom to no avail; all is hopeless here in sun-baked Algeria.

The year is this year. It is a Sunday morning in America and people nationwide stroll through the doors of churches. It is a Saturday evening and people nationwide are printing deluxe editions of their newspapers, voicing freely their opinions and feelings on everything from dieting to politics. It is a Tuesday afternoon and children nationwide are pouring out of their school buildings where they are taught without prejudice towards race or sex. It is because of our freedom that we do not live in the shadow of a concentration camp; it is because of our freedom that we need not cower behind locked doors afraid of secret police; it is because of our American freedom that we are not in a revolt against an overpowering authority.

Freedom: to worship unshackled, to speak uninhibited, to attend schools without being shunned, to vote for the the leaders of our nation, to stand against what is wrong, and to fight for what is right. This is what freedom means to me.

20 Feb 2013

Announcing the Giveaway Winners!

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Hello friends! How exciting to be able to announce the winners of our giveaway last night. We got SO MANY great comments and I'm still enjoying reading through your many stories. (As you know, I do love a good story!) We used an amazing electronic randomizer to pick our winners–

Melissa Thomas Arters – What in the World CD Set
Donna Lou Thomas – Not Just Your Average Genius and Diana's How-To DVDs
Kathy Balman – Digging Deeper Volume 3 CD set and Heroes of the Faith Workshop CD
Toneka Payne Cooper – Encouragement Collection Download
Wendy Galbraith Fulton – Beyond Survival and Reaping the Harvest Book Set

Important Note: If your name is on this list it will be YOUR responsibility to email me at diana@dianawaring.com to give me your personal information. All but one of the giveaways has to be mailed so I will need your complete contact information.

Thank you so much for participating! If you come to the HEAV convention stop by our booth and give us a shout. We love talking to you all!

19 Feb 2013

Tonight’s Giveaways

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We were honored that so many of you dropped by tonight to visit us! Just to reiterate, each of the "freebies" tonight was part of a giveaway. There will be five winners but our use of the word "freebie" ended up being a little confusing and we apologize!

You may post comments until 11pm tonight and winners will be announced here on my blog and also on my facebook page by noon tomorrow. If you see your name posted as one of the five winners, please email me at diana@dianawaring.com with your contact information so we can send you your prize. Thank you for your lovely comments and for chatting with us tonight!

19 Feb 2013

Fabulous Freebie Five!

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The final offering of the evening…the two books I wrote about my homeschooling journey. I have had so much fun with all of you and hope you have had fun with me too! Remember, you can post up until eleven tonight in order to win one of the five freebies. We will post the winners by tomorrow (Wednesday the 20th) at noon. Thank you for a great time! Here's the last freebie–

Beyond Survival and Reaping the Harvest book set

In Beyond Survival, Diana will gently guide you through some of the “messiest” parts of raising your kids. Beyond Survival gives you the preparation and working plan for a successful homeschooling experience. With confidence and compassionate humor, Diana Waring leads you on a joy-filled educational journey.

This book offers practical help with the real questions of homeschooling and provides you with an extensive list of proven resources.

    Understand learning and teaching styles
    Survive your first homeschool convention
    Learn to teach art even if you can’t draw a stick man
    Juggle multilevel teaching with ease

In Reaping the Harvest, the sequel to Beyond Survival you find the journey of homeschooling high-schoolers. The real life experience, joys, sorrows, and witty advice characteristic of all Diana’s writing sparkle from cover to cover, bringing encouragement and wisdom for parents of teenagers.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome in homeschooling? What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing? What has God taught you about yourself in the midst of these challenges?

19 Feb 2013

Freebie Three!

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All you history buffs out there get ready for some awesome stories to encourage, instruct and inspire you!

Digging Deeper Volume 3: Revivals & Hidden Stories of WWI & WWII and Heroes of the Faith CD ($27.90)

Digging Deeper Volume 3 contains three amazing discs offering fascinating glimpses behind the scenes of World War One and Two, and an impassioned recap of the tremendous growth of the church around the world through revival and the expansion of missions.

Heroes of the Faith combines Diana's love for homeschoolers with her joy in historical figures as she aims her famous storytelling skills toward four revered Christian heroes. Their lives and their faith have inspired generations of Christ-followers in ministry, but Diana applies their special callings to the issues of parenting and education: what can homeschool families learn from these ordinary people whom God used in extraordinary ways? Includes George Muller, Amy Carmichael, Eric Liddel (famous from the movie "Chariots of Fire") and Gladys Aylward.

Who is your favorite "hero of the faith"? Remember, it doesn't have to be someone famous–it could be a grandparent or mentor. Why is that person so special to you and your life?

19 Feb 2013

Freebie Number Two!

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I'm happy to offer my second freebie to my friends out there wanting to learn more about how their student's brains work and how to make your home a haven for learning that is enriching and exciting!

Not Just Your Average Genius DVD and Diana's How-To DVD ($29.90) Diana's Not Just Your Average Genius has inspired audiences on four continents. Students of all ages, disciplines and cultures have raved about this workshop's humorous approach to learning. In response to our customers' demands we've filmed it before a live audience.

Diana's How-To-Equipping Educators for a non-traditional curriculum DVD Diana invites you to shed the burdens of sterile classroom education and step into the richly textured environment where a love of learning begins. Join her for this exclusive presentation as she equips you to empower your students through learning styles, assessments and effective learning techniques, applying practical examples from her History Revealed curriculum to your family.

What is your favorite school memory from when you were an elementary student? How about from when you were in high school? Do the experiences have anything in common?

Prescription for the New Year

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