Impromptu field trip.....

Just got back from our 2 day field trip to Cherokee, NC. Aside from getting really dirty and being very tired we also managed to learn a few things.

*history/ social studies (Trail of Tears, Cherokee nation, millwrights, early farm life)

Cherokee, NC

*science (seasons, river ecology, elks, turbines, physics)

Nature's classroom

River ecology & Physics 101

Elk running away from camera

*reading (various exhibits, museums)

"Do not touch or move" creepy mannequin indian man.

*p.e. (hiking, 9 mile bike ride)

Mingus Falls

We also managed to learn some very important life skills.

Life skill #1: Make sure the bike is on good before driving 60 mph down the interstate.
Life skill #2: How to reattach bike with traffic flying by you at 80mph.
Life skill #3 How to get grease off of clothes after reattaching bike
Life skill #4 Stay away from creepy, rotted face bears.

A praying family (Haiti)...

Please join us today as our family prays for Haiti and in particular prays alongside AtaniesHope.org for God's healing touch among the people of Cog Chante.

If your interested in joining us get us out a globe or map and show your kids where Haiti is. Then give them a little info about the area, the people and the commerce of that country. Older kids might prefer getting their info from here.

(On a side note use discernment when reading the information on Operation World. It is a historical fact that Voodoo was the religion most practiced among the people of Haiti, however whether a pact was made with the devil is up to debate. It is not up to us as Christians to make absolute statements about a country or its people. However it is our responsibility to pray for all the nations, including our own, to come to a saving knowledge of Christ.)

TV as teacher for Feb. 24th-25th....

Just in case you missed my last post take a look here for info about the TV as teacher.

Now on to today and tomorrow's broadcasting schedule in the Mighty Masters Academy.

At 2pm (EST) we will be watching a documentary about Martin Luther King in honor of black history month. This is also a great opportunity to discuss the importance of King's faith to his mission which is something that is often overlooked. If you would like to take it further you could also look up bible verses that talk about freedom and discuss what true freedom looks like.

Tomorrow we will be watching or recording Cities of the Underworld Washington, D.C.: Seat of Power at either 12pm or 6pm (EST) and Custer's Last Stand at 11am (EST). On a side note if you do not have a DVR I highly suggest getting one. It has made a considerable difference in the type and amount of t.v. we watch.

Now be warned to make "TV as teacher" work you must watch with your kids so that you can discuss what their learning and to get ideas for further study.Personally I keep a notebook handy. Another added benefit is family togetherness and becoming more knowledgeable yourself.  See who said TV is a bad thing?

I would love to learn what shows you watch that have added to your homeschool classroom. So take a moment and comment below

The tv as teacher...

One of the most valuable tools (other than bible) I have found in our homeschooling is the one thing I try to minimize in our house. The television. It has helped me teach all of subjects and it has helped me inspire creativity and curiosity.

What once acted as babysitter has now become teacher of both myself and the kids. On days when learning is slow, the t.v. expands on what we have been learning. It also challenges us to go deeper because as anyone knows, just because its on t.v. doesn't make us true. It has also served as a spring board for further learning and gives me a glimpse into what interest my kids. Surprisingly my 13yr old is just as likely to watch the history or military channel instead of cartoons.

So in the months ahead I plan on sharing some of our favorite shows and the channels that have programming that teaches. As always you need to make sure that the shows fit your values, but I also ask that you don't cross a show off your list that seems not to. As a family we have had some great conversations about our values while watching shows that had an opposing view to our families believes. I will do my best to let you know some details that might help you determine if this show is for your family. Please feel free to share with me shows that have helped your family.

• National geographic channel
• The History Channel
• Stan Lee's Superhumans This show is a great show for families with older kids. However be aware that sometimes it talks about things from an evolutionist view point. (science)
• Modern Marvels Great for older kids and some younger kids. (science, history)
• America Pickers Great fun, family show for more mature kids. Very little language. (history, americana)
• The Military Channel Great channel for boys and men. (history, science, technology)
• Animal Planet
• Animal Cops Great show for families to watch although it can be very sad. However it makes for some great discussions about right and wrong. (animal care, some science)

Busyness and books...

Life in the Masters house has been hectic. In fact so much so that school has taken a backseat for a couple of weeks, but homeschooling is unique in that it never really stops. We might have stopped a lot of the book work for a bit, but we have increased our bible study and other activities. I guess its all part of the ebb and flow of the learning lifestyle.

Another part of that lifestyle is books. They form the foundation of all we do which is easy for me because I love reading. Especially books that teach me something which is why I adore "The New Reading Teacher's Book of Lists". To be honest its not that new. It was first published in 1985 and I found it in the used curriculum section of Cedar Springs. This book is filled with the basics of learning and offers the type A personality with one of their favorite things... list.

The authors are Donna Fountoukidis, Jacqueline Kress Polk and the very popular Edward Fry who is responsible for the high frequency words which are so common in public schools.

The only negative to this book is I did not find it sooner, because if I had it would have saved me tons of money. For instance all of the high frequency words are listed and the greek and latin roots as well. It truly is a complete collection of all things language arts.

Just take a look for yourself and see what I mean...