Author Archives: Betty Jo

About Betty Jo

I'm Betty Jo, a wife to my knight in (not so) shinning armor for nearly 22 years. We have 5 kids and another one that currently lives with us. We have been Christian home educators for 18 years with 8 more (at least) to go.

Irish Prayers and Irish Jigs

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The Prayer of Saint Patrick

“I bind to myself this day:

The power of God to guide me,

The might of God to uphold me,

The wisdom of God to teach me,

The eye of God to watch over me,

The ear of God to hear me,

The word of God to give me speech,

The way of God to go before me,

The shield of God to shelter me.

Christ be with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ within me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ at my right,

Christ at my left,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Amen.”

Our homeschool’s St. Patrick’s Day Unit Studies are just about over. We are having such a good time that I wish we would have started sooner or could continue a bit longer.

La Fhelle Padraig Sona Daoibh! That’s Happy St. Patrick’s Day in Gaelic. I laughed all through our attempt at learning a little Irish Language. (Just imagine what our Kentucky accents combined with Irish ones would sound like and you might laugh too): https://ai.glossika.com/blog/learn-how-to-speak-irish-gaelic-for-beginners

Traditional Irish folk music and dancing remind me of our own Bluegrass music. (And yes, my singing and dancing is pretty funny, too.) Here’s a link to some really talented Irish folk musicians and river dancers.

And several Irish Step Dancing Instructions For Beginners https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVVrsRPIrc7q5279V05G-noSw_wQA-B0_

If you’re wanting more links for St. Patrick’s Day studies I posted some on “Absolutely No Pinching” available here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/14/absolutely-no-pinching/

Beannachtai na Feile Padraig oraibh! (St. Patrick’s Day blessings upon you)

betty jo

Absolutely No Pinching!

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A Wish for a Friend

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

This is an Irish blessing we read with part of our holiday unit study of Saint Patrick’s Day. This poem and other Irish blessings, as well as everything else Irish can be found here:

http://islandireland.com/index.html

Write your own Irish Limericks with the help of this printable information page and writing pages https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Limericks-120141?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_campaign=LimerickPin

We are using these free printables for notebooking http://www.cyncesplace.com/friday-freebie-st-patricks-notebooking-pages/

These two quotes from St. Patrick are going to look great on our pages!

We like playing “Would You Rather …?” games. Here’s one just for Saint Patrick’s Day. Some of these questions are crazy! All of them set up some awesome discussions. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Would-You-Rather-Questions-119297

We made these shamrock treats! Hershey Kiss, Green M&M’s, and Pretzels – Bake at 275 Degrees for just a couple of minutes until the Kiss has melted. Watch carefully not to over cook, because burnt chocolate happens easily!

We have a few new rules during this study: must wear green, Irish accents and phrases are mandatory, if anyone finds a pot-o-gold they must share with Mom, and ABSOLUTELY NO PINCHING!

Last but not least, a brief history video on St. Patrick from Veggie Tales

St. Patrick’s Mix Playlist

Springing

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It’s springing here in Western KY. With the time change springing ahead, the extra daylight hours have aided the trees in producing their blooms. Flowers are opening up and the grass has lost it’s dead color and found new green. The temperatures are a bit warmer. The birds that stayed around through the winter are singing a happier song than they were just last week.

Spring is a wonderful time for outdoor nature lessons. We have some flowerpots to decorate and a variety of flower seeds soaking to germinate before planting. We will be making a fairy garden around a tree stump in the back yard. We will be studying the spring nighttime skies, and making a weather center.

Spring is the time to get out the sports equipment, bikes, and kites. Hiking and picnics are on our spring agenda along with some outdoor field trips with our homeschooling support group.

Our middle ages history studies will move on into the Renaissance.

Spring is also a good time for poetry studies (picture my kids rolling their eyes and sighing).

^{Song of Songs (Solomon) 2:11-12}

Don’t you see? The winter is done.
The rains and clouds have come and gone.
The flowers are unfolding in the fields;
the birds are warming up their songs,

Poetry can be in the form of music, too (picture my kids no longer rolling their eyes or sighing).

betty jo

Gothic Revival in Western Kentucky

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We toured some local historical churches with our homeschool support group. The three we visited are over 100 years old. Not that old on the scale of old churches around the world, but old enough to have history. Each of these were designed in a Gothic Revival manner, meaning that they look like mini middle age cathedrals.

The windows we admired were beautiful stained glass, the Bible in art, just like those windows from long ago when the common man could not read the stories for himself, but instead saw them in the church windows.

As I stood amazed at the artisan skill, I was humbled at the thought that God chooses not these fine buildings for his home, but us. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

One of the tour guides reminded us of this lesson from Luke 21:5-6, ^“Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” I’m glad to have seen these and shared them with my kids and friends before that happens.

betty jo

Concerned Teacher

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Math lessons are the least of my homeschool concerns for this coming up homeschooling week. Well, for that matter, neither is anything “common core” a big concern for this new week. Nor is our homeschool group field trip. So, what is it that concerns me about this week? It’s this, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)

I’m concerned about how the judgement of my teaching at the end of the week will turn out. Will I have demonstrated Godly behavior? Did I teach them Bible truths as we went about our day? Was I slow to anger and quick to forgive? Will my kids know without a doubt that I love them and think they are wonderful? Did I encourage them? Did I go about my work without grumbling or complaining? Do they know their Savior better because of something this momma said or did?

These words haunt me as I plan for our school week, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42).

God help me.

And I’m praying that maybe, just maybe, the week will end with a judgement like this, “True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.” (Malachi 2:6)

betty jo

The Homeschool Village

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Calling For Reinforcements

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Sometimes Christian based homeschooling isn’t enough. Sometimes Sunday school, youth groups, or attending church aren’t enough either. Sometimes it’s wise for parents to call for reinforcements. It can be beneficial to seek other options for the hard topics. And one of the most difficult topics, we as parents have to face with our teens is “purity”.

The little time we spend in discussion of keeping oneself pure is not much compared to all the sources pouring impurity into our youths – books, movies, TV, the internet, magazines, fashion, music and more. We parents can so easily be viewed as “old fashioned” and our instruction not relevant for today.

E17 went to “The Silver Ring Thing”. This is a national event tour. The speakers are young and hip. The bands are popular and fun. But the important thing is they dare their audience to defy cultural norms. They speak out in truth about dating, love, faith, and sex. These folks are our reinforcements and I’m so glad to have them on our side in this cultural war.

Now when E17 is faced with tough choices about life and love she will have more to base her decisions on than just what mom said or a Scripture verse from a youth group lesson. Now, she has something more, she has this Silver Ring Thing to reinforce her beliefs and values. And I’m relieved.

Here is the Bible verse theme from Silver Ring Thing:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 The Message (MSG)

4 ^1-3One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life.

Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity.

^4-5Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.

And here’s the link to the Silver Ring Thing Promo:

betty jo

The If’s of Friday

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IF the kids have done about 10-15 minutes of extra math Mon.-Thrus, IF the notebooking assignments are finished, IF we have made some progress on chores, IF Thursday’s reviews went ok, and a few more IFs, then we have what we call “Free Ed Friday”. This means that for our 6 hour school day (requirement for homeschools in KY), the kids get to pick whatever they want to learn about. They pick books they want to read. They come up with their own art or cooking projects. They watch some educational tv and play educational games on the internet. On Fridays we might get out a board game or two.

Friday is also the day for homeshool creative ministry rehearsals, color guard practice, and errands. And sometimes, fast food. Our support group/co-op meets every 3rd Friday evening for a themed family night get together, so on that Friday we prepare for family night.

While the kids are busy learning whatever by themselves, I get to do my own educational things too. I surf the web looking for new lessons. I read posts and e-mails I didn’t have time for earlier in the week. I always find something new and wonderful. And sometimes meet someone new and wonderful. Knowing that our school week can end this way sure does give us the incentive to work hard during the week. Ask any of us which day of the school week we like best, and we would all answer “Friday”!

My favorite Free Eds from this last Friday included an earthworm collection complete with some new holes dug in the yard, learning Just Dance 4 moves, meeting some new homeschool moms and chatting with others I’ve known for years. I’m reading Andrew Klavin’s If We Survive, because E17 recommended it . She knows I love a suspenseful story and this one is.

And I found an amazing link to share with you:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/rideau-canal/#tab=photos&ql=1

And this one for creative fun: (be sure to check out St. Patrick and Easter on the “Holiday” tab)

http://www.thetoymaker.com/

betty jo

Keeping The Code

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I usually learn as much as the kids do in our homeschool. The “all things middle ages” that we have been researching this school year has been quite educational for me. Recently, I realized that I want my sons (I have 4 of them) to be knights. Not the modern ones such as Paul McCartney or Elton John, but the kind of knights from the middle ages. Well, minus the jousting.

As a knight in training, a boy would start off as a page at 7 years old, (I have a 7 year old). He would be responsible for some chores, he received an education and learned to read Latin. He was taught manners, and learned and practiced skills that would serve him later. Not a bad start, huh?

At age 14, (I have a 14 year old, too), the page became a squire. This was his time of apprenticeship with a trusted knight. Real one on one tutoring and hands-on studies happened here. Practical life skills and life or death lessons were learned. Responsibilities were increased.

When the knight in training turned 21, (oh yeah, got one 21, too), he was ready to become a noble knight. But first, before he was dubbed, he had to vow to keep The Code of Chivalry. This is the real reason behind my wanting my boys to become knights. These young men swore to protect the weak, fight wrong, seek justice, be loyal to friends, and be fair to all people. They promised to be true, gentle, faithful, and brave. They pledged to honor and respect women, to be generous, and to dare to do right. I want my sons to develop the character needed to be able keep to this code.

I have daughters, too. One is my own, and one that we pretend is mine. I do not want them to ever be helpless damsels in need of being rescued. I want them to be well educated, trained, and practiced in their callings, too. I think this Code applies to them as well. And definitely should apply to their future husbands.

Here’s the link to the Code of Chivalry and everything else middle ages: http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm

And here’s the link to free lapbooks on knights which includes a simplified knight’s code: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/knights_lapbook.php and knight connections http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__middle_ages.php

And here’s a random pic that showed up on my Facebook newsfeed , seems to be appropriate.

betty jo

Art Day – Sistine Chapel Style

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As part of our “cathedral” section of our current middle ages unit studies, we researched Michelangelo and his masterpiece ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. To get a feel of what laying on your back and painting was like, we taped some paper to our dry erase board and and set it across a couple of chairs, then took turns laying under it to paint Bible story scenes. Even the homeschool graduate wanted in on this project. I love it when our assignments capture the interest of the older kids.

This is A21.

Tay art 1

Z7 and B14

A22 and E17

J9 and the finished Bible Story Paintings.

And here are the links we used for our study and notebooking:

http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2007/09/artist-profile-michelangelo.html

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/michelangelo.htm

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/michelangelos_surprise.php

http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/m/michelan/index.html

For other art related posts click here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/12/leonardo-da-vinci/ and https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/06/raphael/

betty jo

The Office

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My sweet J9 often says very insightful but odd things. One day, he was sitting at the kitchen table. He looked sad. When I asked him about what was going on, he replied that he was in need of an office. I did not have a clue where this idea came from or where it was going, but I was curious. I asked him why he needed an office, and J9 answered, “When you’re in an office, people do what you tell them to.” Wow, suddenly he wasn’t the only one wanting an office, I wanted one, too.

We have two tables in our kitchen. One for meals and school work, the other is a drop leaf that was a collection center for coats, books, groceries, random toys, etc. That table only got cleaned off when company was coming and we needed more seating or room for a buffet.

J9 and I cleaned everything off the dropleaf. Then we moved the homeschool records, school supplies, unit study box, and printer to that table. We hung a bulletin board. And TA DA an office for J9 and me.

However, this has turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for him. People (our family members and the boy next door) do not do what he tells them to just because he tells them from an office. J9 has shouted at us, “You’re fired!” (imagine Donald Trump), at least 10 times apiece. However, he does like having his computer time there.

I am not disappointed at all in our office. I love it. It looks better. The organization is an improvement. Before, our homeschool records were on the hutch in the living room. The printer , mostly stayed in my bedroom (not convenient). The unit study box could have been found anywhere (garage, under beds). Now when one of the kids asks me where their folder is, I tell them, “It’s in the office”, and they actually will find it there. I print off unit study pages and right away they go into the unit study box. If we need a crafting supply, we simply look in the tote that’s stored under the table. I even have a place for our homeschooling support group notebook.

The office is where I sip hot creamy coffee and plan our weeks. It is where I can meet one on one with each kid to discuss work, grades, schedules, and such. It’s where the calendar and planner can be found. And of course, the office is where parent-teacher conferences happen (insert a snicker or chuckle here).

Sometimes, the simplest ideas end up being the best ideas. After years of homeschool disorder we finally have some organization. Our office cost nothing to set up. We got it together in hardly any time at all. I find it a wonderful home/ homeschool improvement. The office has become one of the best areas in our home.