 Hey Mama, It's been a busy and stressful couple of weeks at our house, so I'm going to skip writing about this week's topic and focus on some encouragement:
I want to remind you that for as much as you love your own precious children, God loves you even more than that. You cannot begin to fathom his great love and the delight he holds for you. So every time you begin to doubt your worth, or feel insecure, stop and look at your kids' faces. Are they insecure about your love for them? Do they doubt their own worth in the presence of your love and care for them? Of course not. Mama you know they are strong in body and mind because of how you have cared for and loved them all the days of their lives. They are secure and they know it. Why do you think they go running to you every time they fall down, both literally and figuratively? Mama makes it better. They are strong in that knowledge.
How about you, Mama? Are you not loved far more by your great God and Savior? He loves with a perfect love. And He directs that love straight to your heart. Don't you dare doubt you are cared for. Put away any thoughts that you are alone. If your kids are secure in the imperfect love you give them, how much more secure and strong should you be in the Perfect One's loving embrace?
His hand is on your head. He will never leave you. Just as you won't abandon your children, He won't leave His alone either. Lift your eyes up to Him who saves you. And accept freely that you are okay today. His hand is on your head. ~ gena
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Why Teach Cursive Writing?
By Howard Brinkman
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Should you teach cursive handwriting? Some people believe that cursive handwriting is outdated, and most adults develop a personal mix of cursive and printing anyway. Other people believe that teaching cursive handwriting is important for conveying ideas legibly, and because it's good for improving fine motor skills and brain development.
The debate about teaching cursive handwriting spiraled to national levels when the Common Core State Standards excluded penmanship classes. That doesn't preclude schools (or homeschoolers) from teaching it though.
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If you look at penmanship narrowly as a means of conveying words, you might conclude that typing and texting are more practical today. Plus, teaching time is weighted toward subjects included in standardized tests. Ironically, those tests involve handwritten sections, and some studies show that neat, legible handwriting earns higher scores. And then there's the money. Many younger teachers never learned cursive or how to teach it. If penmanship were required, schools may have to pay for additional teacher training.
Why teach cursive in your homeschool?
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The Familyman
Just got back from the Great Homeschool Convention in Greenville, S.C., and on the way home, we stopped for dinner at Culver's for their incredible butter burgers and frozen custard. As we sat around the table, I mentioned the topic of cursive writing and ignited a small firestorm of discussion.
One of my teens was "for" teaching cursive writing because, "It's just good to be able to do," and one was against it because, "No one uses cursive anymore except to sign his name." I have to admit that I think it's a waste of precious time, because a homeschooler's time is precious ... and I NEVER write in cursive.
Today, people type on computers or print to fill out the Publisher's Clearing House giveaway. The thing is cursive isn't required and is hardly used.
But out of that passionate conversation, ONE wise voice spoke truth (and it wasn't mine). My wife wisely said, "I'd say, if you have a child who wants to learn to write in cursive, teach him/her. Otherwise, it's not that big of a deal."
Wow, I've got a smart wife. She's right, you know? In this case, it really is about the child and not about the skill. The fact is you have a limited time of teaching. You can't teach everything. Cursive is a fading and non-essential skill. BUT if you have a child who wants to learn it (we've had a few) ... you should teach him how to. If he is sloppy at it and can't seem to get it ... let it go.
That's from my smart wife!!!!
Be real,
Todd
P.S. Hey, I just came out with a little book called Family is Hard--Deal With It! It lays waste to the notion that there is a silver bullet out there offering easy fixes with kids, teenagers, homeschooling, and marriages. There are none. You just need to face the fact that GOOD things are hard and hard things are GOOD ... AND the promise God offers to those who do not grow weary and give up.
This super quick read (just 67 pages) will give you hope and the strength to keep at it. So whether you're in the midst of a tough marriage, tough relationships, tough homeschooling, or a tough life, you NEED this little book. Order it now.
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Advertisement
A Beka Book cursive writing program develops good writing habits and strengthens reading skills. By joining letters, cursive writing reinforces the blending of sounds within words. Children learn cursive writing in a matter of months. Get a FREE catalog to see the cursive writing!
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A division of The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine
Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits!
Like writing itself, cursive writing is an art form. And like many art forms, it is losing some of its popularity due to the ever-changing technologically-based world we are living in. It's also an art form that SchoolhouseTeachers.com is working to preserve through Everyday Copywork on the Schoolhouse Dailies tab.
Every week, Everyday Copywork shares practice for print and cursive handwriting. Each includes a traceable portion as well as a portion to copy. Our copywork includes Scripture portions, classic literature, and words and phrases related to topics ranging from nature to world history.
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*You are purchasing a three-month membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com. This membership will renew automatically every 90 days, unless you cancel. Offer ends June 30, 2014.
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Relational Homeschooling
 Diana has been very busy this week and wasn't able to write for us, but you can go to her website to see what she's been up to. She'll be back in two weeks.
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AdvertisementDoes Play Still Have a Purpose in a
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Announcement
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AnnouncementNow you can be a TOS affiliate and earn some extra cash!
Would you like to earn 20% commission on TOS items that family and friends purchase through an affiliate website? It's easy, check out this page for more information. Once you are signed up, you simply share your unique affiliate link with family and friends. If anyone purchases anything from the TOS website using your affiliate link, you receive a 20% commission. There are even buttons available to help you promote your affiliate link on your website or blog.
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Contest Corner
For the month of March, 2014
The Book of God (Graphic Novel)
The Book of God shares with us how the Bible came to be created. The beginning words, in a tribute to Dr. Henry H. Hailey, sets the tone for the intention of the book, "The Bible is not man's account of his efforts to find God but rather an account of God's efforts to reveal Himself to Man." Set in the design of a graphic novel, the content is quite meaty.
This book is set in four parts: The Production of the Bible, The Process of the Bible, the Preservation of the Bible, and the Proof of the Bible. Each area digs deep with quotes, historical time lines, and questions that lead the reader to want to discover the answers on the next page. Starting with how the Bible has shaped the world history, governments and laws then moving to how the Bible is still shaping countries and cultures with the abundance of versions and massive availability. The journey is with a main character who leads you through how the Bible was written from the Old Testament to the New with the authors and time lines.
We walk through how the canons were created, listening in to the men who left records of how different letters were included or left out. As we read we sit beside those who wanted to preserve the Bible. With the printing press we learn how those in authority wanted to ensure the preservation of the truth of scriptures were upheld. Each part of the book builds on the page prior with more questions as we turn to the next topic. (Read the rest of the review. . . )
You can WIN the Book of God!
TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Book of God" for a chance to win* the book for your family!
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