 What are we going to do with our time today? Most of us have some sort of plan so that we are not wasting time. I have found that in between and all around my plan are those unexpected teachable moments. And, because I have learned that these are the most important moments of my day, I stop the plan and seize the moment. As parents who have been God-ordained for these children, we have the ability, and the unction from God to press into them the very nature of Who God is and the command from God to reveal His glory to them. This often happens in the teachable moments that may or may not be on our plan. Don't let "the plan" of the day rob you or distract you from your highest purpose of revealing God to your children. Those inconvenient moments could be the most eternally rewarding. The children are curious, therefore open to receiving your counsel and ultimately God's counsel and purpose for them. Just as you prepare yourself and your day for your plan, I would suggest preparing yourself for those teachable moments. When our children are young, they are malleable and full of faith. Take your day and those moments captive and purpose to speak of God in all things. For example: When your child comes to you for breakfast, talk to them of The Bread of Life that will fill them so that their soul will never be hungry. When your child misbehaves, take him to the cross of Christ and talk about the love and forgiveness of God and what that cost looks like. When you are outside or on a field trip, remind them of the brilliance and creativity of God in the things He created. Talk about the gift of our minds and eyes as we are able to take and in understand what we see. When you are helping your child with math or language, talk about the God of order and understanding. When you are sitting on the couch together just cuddling or reading, talk about what you read in your quiet time and reveal your heart for God and God's heart for them. Every question they ask, purpose to answer it from a perspective that will lift up the Almighty God and make Him desirable in their eyes. At bedtime, pray over your child prayers of faith and hope and a future. As homeschool parents, you have time on your side. You can fill it with the praises of your God. You can fulfill Deuteronomy 6:4-7 as you walk through your day and teach your children to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Let the important teachable moment overrule the urgent plan. Children don't wait, but grow before our eyes and our time with them is gone all too soon. What are you planning to teach them today? See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 ~Deborah dwuehler@theoldschoolhouse.com
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A division of The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine
Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits!It's the little moments that seem to most often spring to life and bring wonder and joy to our days. Whether they come delivered on the wings of a sparrow in the backyard or on the sparkling edge of a soap bubble, they reach into the daily routine and leave us changed. If you'd like some help opening the door of your routine to these special moments, we have some Teachers who specialize in bringing new life to your day. Sarah Gilbert brings picture books to life with Pre-K Activities: Read and Play. Twice each month, Sarah shares fun ways to go beyond the picture book and have even more fun learning! Brittney Jordan teaches the Charlotte Mason Preschool, containing units focused on nature study, living books, handicrafts, fine arts, and early academics. Enjoy identifying the colors of birds, the tastes of garden produce, the feel of smooth rocks painted to look like bugs, and so much more. Literature Kits with Marla Schultz takes books such as Where the Red Fern Grows, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and others and shows you how to explore history, geography, English, Bible, and even recipes as you enjoy read aloud time together. Nature/Outdoors with Erin Dean will lead you and your family on a journey of discovery through lessons on everything from bears to ants! Science experiments with Jason Lindsey uses everyday household objects to spark wonder and creativity in your children. See how much fun you have when you try the Microwave Light Bulb experiment, the Soda Can Shakeup, making Electric Play Dough, and lots more. You can see a full list of our classes on our Site Content page. If you're not already a member, join today during our special 19 Gifts sale. Not only will you save money (regular price $12.95 a month), you will lock in your membership at this price for as long as you maintain your membership (see site for details). That is a savings of over $60 every year. Visit www.19gifts.com for all the details and to lock in your super sale price. But hurry, this offer is only good until June 30, 2014!
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The Familyman
You know, just because you take a summer vacation from school (and you should) doesn't mean that you get a break from teaching. In fact, the best learning takes place when you're not doing school. It comes in the form of everyday lessons learned from teachable moments.
Just so there is no misunderstanding, I am NOT talking about contrived teachable moments that look and smell like school in disguise, "Let's go out into the back yard and play ... and while we're there we'll draw pictures of what we see and then discuss it." Yuck.
What I'm talking about is the argument over who gets to pour the lemonade at the lemonade stand, the messes that need to be cleaned up, and the moments when someone is crying, stung, or afraid of the thunder and lightning. It is in those moments that we get unplanned opportunities for teaching.
By the way, you're teaching all the time as your children watch how you love your spouse, your children, and your neighbors. Those are especially life-impacting lessons.
Don't miss these because you're too busy getting your stuff done, thinking about the next school year, or keeping things clean. Enjoy the break, your children, and all those wonderful teachable moments.
Be real (what a great lesson),
Todd
NOTE - I'm still trying to fill my Fall Speaking Loop and here's how it's shaping up:
I have an open slot on Sunday Oct. 12th in or around Dallas/Fort Worth. Also I'll be around Houston the 13-14th. I also have some time between New Orleans and the Florida Panhandle/Jacksonville, FL (Tallahassee anyone?) around the 16-18th.
If you'd like me to speak to your homeschool group and you live around those areas, let me know . I'd love to see if we can make it work.
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Marine science meets art education-on the white sands of Navarre Beach. Book your vacation now to see top sculptors from across the country compete. www.floridasplayground.com
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Raising Real Men
When you work from home, how the family's day goes often dictates how the work day goes, too. I don't remember if this was the last of several interruptions, or just the breaking point of a rising tide of disruption, but I found myself on the fourth step of the living room stairs, seated like Solomon to pass judgment on my flock of very noisy kids.
I think it was while I was explaining that their misbehavior was not only disruptive and disobedient, but also was wastingmy time by forcing me to stop my work and come and counsel a bunch of hooligans, that another truth struck me.
This might be an interruption to my task of the moment, but this is not an interruption to my real calling. In fact, this was my real work--discipling my children, training up the next generation, leading this family. It's the work which doesn't have a taxable paycheck, but has eternal consequences. And at that moment, I realized that more and more, my life as a parent was going to involve moments just like this--when my plans were delayed by the whirling collisions of will, desire, pride, and need--that make up the interactions of any family. That's when I would step out of being an engineer, a writer, a business owner, or whatever, and take back the mantle of father, teacher, counselor, and coach. We homeschoolers often talk about the teachable moments when our child is suddenly able to grasp geometry, or the consequences of a bad decision, or the connection between letters and sounds.Do we realize that we parents have teachable moments, too? Are we sensitive to the Lord's hand on our shoulder to turn us toward His light? Have we learned to embrace those moments-or do we still struggle against the interruption? Yours in the battle, Hal This month we'll be in Connecticut (at the TEACH Spring Conference) and Massachusetts, Georgia, and Texas (at the Teach Them Diligently Convention). Click here to learn more. In July we're starting new sessions of our most popular LIVE webinar series, Boyhood Boot Camp (for parents of boys up to 9) and Boot Camp 9-12 (for those parenting those challenging years from 9-12). We would love to get to know you in one of these interactive classes!
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Make the most of family time! Make a "memory book"
while learning about your state! Use coupon code FAMILY.
Free shipping through June 25.
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The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine.
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AdvertisementJune's Spotlight on Summer Fun!
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Advertisement
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2014 Annual Print Book
Be encouraged, enlightened, and educated with the 2014 Annual Print Book published by The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine.
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Announcement
Now 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 June, 2014
"Mr. Wizard's World" Volume 1 DVD
My children and I recently reviewed two DVDs, "The Best of Watch Mr. Wizard" Vol. 1, and "Mr. Wizard's World" Vol. 1. When I was offered this review, I jumped at it, for two reasons. First, I am currently recovering from surgery, and my boys and I could easily review this, we just had to watch the DVDs! But more importantly, I wanted it because I have a fond childhood memory of a Mr. Wizard book that I got from the library when I was young. I used instructions from it to make a beautiful crystal garden in a fish bowl using charcoal, food coloring, bluing, and I don't recall what else.
While we all enjoyed watching both of these DVDs, I preferred watching "The Best of Watch Mr. Wizard" Vol. 1. This DVD has four episodes from the original hit TV series of the 1950s and 1960s, which is more from MY childhood. The episodes are themed as follows:
#1 - Heat Transfer
#2 - Adhesives
#3 - Electricity
#4 - Animal Motion
My boys at first were not so sure they would enjoy taking time away from their electronic games to watch these DVDs with me (especially since "The Best of Watch Mr. Wizard" Vol. 1 has a running time of two hours, and "Mr. Wizard's World" Vol. 1 has a running time of 1 hour and 44 minutes), but lo and behold, they all four sat with rapt attention, commenting often about the things they were learning and found so interesting. They were disappointed when I told them they had to wait until the next day to watch the second DVD!
(Read the rest of the review!)
You can WIN these DVDs!
TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Mr. Wizard" for a chance to win* the DVDs for your family!
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"I am amazed at the number of times I open The Homeschool Minute newsletter and have the opportunity to read EXACTLY what I need that day! Thank you so much for putting a real face on homeschooling."
--Michelle Sager
Liberty Twp, OH
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"I really appreciate all the information and the many uplifting articles in your magazines. Invaluable. Thanks for all you're doing to help us homeschoolers.
--Kathy P.
Stanton, TX
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"Only just this past week have I seriously checked into the content of the SchoolhouseTeachers.com site ... May I just say wow?!"
--Janelle Chille
Mason City, IA
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"I really enjoy reading all the THM articles. I learn a lot from Todd Wilson's column. [He's a] funny guy who speaks the simple truth! Thank you very much!"
--Charlene
Brandon, FL
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"I look forward to THM every Wednesday. I really enjoy Deborah's articles. For some reason, it must be God, she always writes about what I am needing to hear. Her ability to put scripture and God in the middle of all her articles keeps me coming back. I recently have been enjoying the Youngs' [articles] because I have a young man (10) in my house. The encouragement of the Youngs is fabulous. I thank God for parents like them that pave the way for parents like myself and my husband."
--Racheal Fowler
Glen Burnie, Maryland
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"So love reading TOS on my iPad from cover to cover every month!!!"
--Leigh Anne McGrady
Dunwoody, GA
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"I love the new TOS app! So convenient. So quick. All the encouragement I need at my fingertips ... any place at any time."
--SpunkyHomeschool
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"Thanks ever so much. I love the encouraging articles! I really loved the list of 25 all in one place. Nice to have this little bit of "free" encouragement in my mail. I don't have funds to subscribe or purchase frills and with also working more than half time I don't have time to search it out. May God bless you exceedingly."
--Teresa
rural Kansas
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"I absolutely love Todd's column. He always seems to put things in the proper perspective, and it keeps me from getting all stressed and anxious. Thanks Todd, and thanks TOS!!"
--Johnne Orelchikov
East Texas
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