Texas HOME Educators - March Newsletter

Calendar of Events

March 06 Ballet Classes & Co-op Classes

March 13 Ballet Classes & Track Meet

March 20 Ballet Classes & Track Meet

March 27 Ballet Classes & Track Meet

Co-op Classes

Musical Theater – we will meet on March 6 at 1:00 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church in Kountze, Texas for our “Annie” rehearsal. Cast members need to be prepared to work without script.

Service Scouts – we will meet on March 6 at 2:30 p.m. at the Village Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Lumberton, Texas to play BINGO with the residents. Each family will need to bring 2 fleece blankets and 2 non-skid socks (think neutral colors so the prize may be given to male or female).

Members can enroll in our group at any time during the year. Students K-12 may participate in Service Scouts, a program designed to award youth for their community service.

Ballet Classes

09:00 Ballet I (ages 3-6)

09:45 Ballet II (ages 7-10)

09:45 Jazz (ages 11+)

10:30 Ballet III (ages 11+)

11:15 Pointe (ages 11+)

Classes are held at Studio D in Lumberton, Texas. Tuition is $50 per class, per month. Tuition is due by the first Friday of each month. Girls ballet attire is black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and hair in bun. Boys ballet attire is white fitted shirt, black jazz pants, and black ballet shoes. Girls pointe attire is black leotard, pink ballet tights, pink pointe shoes, and hair in bun. Girls jazz attire is black leotard, black jazz pants, and tan jazz shoes. Boys jazz attire is black fitted shirt, black jazz pants, and tan jazz shoes. If you have any questions, please text Susan Reed at 409-504-8135 or Brieanna Reed at 409-998-9159.

Parents, students are now working on choreography and need to be in class so they do not fall behind. Between now and recital, we need all students in class. No more absentees.

Texas HOME Educators Track Team

THE Track Team will meet on the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Journey Community Church located at 1534 South Main Street, Lumberton, Texas. Athletes will have the opportunity to run in the 100 meter dash twice with an average time recorded and the 400 meter dash at each track meet. THE Track Team will provide the following age groups and athletes will run in their age group: ages 5-6, ages 7-8, ages 9-10, ages 11-12, ages 13-14, and ages 15-18. Athletes must wear uniform – singlet, shorts, and running shoes – to participate in track meets. For safety, athletes cannot wear hard/soft casts or jewelry of any sort during track meets. All timed events will count toward standings. Points will be awarded as follows: 3 points for 1^st place, 2 points for 2^nd place, and 1 point for 3^rd place. Athletes will be given awards after the last track meet based upon their standings. In the event of a tie, within an age group, athletes will run a 100 meter dash to break the tie.

To respect the privilege of using facilities, athletes/parents must follow Journey’s Track & Field Policy. Track and field must be free from trash and debris after each track meet. All trash must be taken to the dumpster or taken with you as you leave. Drivers must adhere to the 10 mph speed limit while entering and exiting the property. Drivers must park in the available parking spaces by the field. Restrooms are not available at the track, so please be sure athletes/parents use a restroom facility elsewhere before coming to the track.

Happy Homeschooling!

The Unbreakable Faith Course - Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.


The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim’s Rock, LLC is an online course for adults and mature teenagers. The course requires two textbooks written by Craig Biehl – The Box and God the Reason. I received both textbooks and access to the online course for this review.

The Box is written as a dialog between Mr. Christian and Mr. Atheist. Through their conversation we see that the atheist assertion “God does not exist” is a claim concerning the ultimate nature of man, reality, knowledge, truth, authority, and ethics. The atheist denial of God’s existence is based upon their unreasonable faith in their own opinion.  Even Scripture tells us in Psalm 53:1 – “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Through the ongoing conversation, Mr. Atheist becomes Mr. Agnostic because he has exchanged his profession of atheism for agnosticism. We learn that there are two types of agnosticism – one that asserts that the nature and existence of God cannot be known; and one that admits to a lack of evidence. We see that both arguments against God – atheism and agnosticism – rest on unreasonable faith in human opinion.

God the Reason provides a great study for those longing for a deeper understand of God’s Word. This book shows the emptiness of atheism while arguing God’s existence and his necessity for all reasoning, thinking, meaning, and living. It shares the attributes of God and how these attributes are essential for the fundamental issues of life. We need God for truth, knowledge, and direction in our lives.


After reading through the textbooks, I began the Unbreakable Faith course. This course explores how God’s perfections give life, joy, and assurance in a world of unbelief. It demonstrates how the attributes of God form the source and basis for all things in the universe. The course explores how reality, as we know it is impossible without God. It nurtures a comprehensive, logical, biblical worldview to strengthen our faith; and it helps believers turn arguments into opportunities to witness and share the love of Christ.

The Unbreakable Faith course is very easy to use. Simply login to your account on the website and click “Unbreakable Faith” and you will have access to the six parts of the course.  Each part consists of videos, readings, and quizzes. The course is self-paced; but once the course is started, the student must complete the course within thirty-six weeks.

All videos are accessed and viewed online. Each video segment is about thirteen minutes long. Please note, students must watch the videos in order, the following video is not available to the student unless the previous video is marked complete.  The online quiz is to be taken after completing the videos and reading assignments in each part of the course. Students have twenty-five minutes to attempt each quiz; and each quiz may only be taken once. The online final exam is taken after all videos, readings, and quizzes are complete. High school students can earn one credit upon completion of this course.


I have enjoyed reading through the textbooks; and I have worked through part two in the online course. The opening music to each video lesson is very relaxing and the hymns prepare you for the message. I have been encouraged to walk the talk. People need to see the real deal. I have learned that philosophy and apologetics are the results of theology. God is infinite. Man is finite. We know God by what he has revealed to us in creation and Scripture. God’s revelation is the standard of truth. Finite human understanding cannot be the standard of truth. Scriptures tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God is too great to be known unless he makes himself known.


Visit the Crew Blog to read what the Homeschool Review Crew has to say about The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim’s Rock.

Psalm Chapter 3

The third psalm shows the security of God’s protection. The historical background for this psalm is found in 2 Samuel 15-17 where David had to take flight from his own palace to hide himself from his rebellious son Absalom.


Psalm 3:1-2 – LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.


David complains of the multitude of his enemies; and if you turn to 2 Samuel 15:12, you will find that “the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.” His own son is in rebellion against him, and now his faithful counsellors have turned their backs on him, even his generals and soldiers have deserted his standards. His enemies boast, and their words cut him to the core, when they say that his God had forsaken him. The term “Selah” is a musical pause. This should cause us to pause and meditate on God’s Word so that we may lift up our hearts in grateful song.


Psalm 3:3-4 – But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.


David declares his confidence in the Lord. David knew he would return in triumph and by faith he glorified God. He is certain the Lord will hear him and answer his prayer in this time of need. If only, we may learn to glory in our tribulations, to lift up our head, and trust that God hears our prayers and will answer according to his will, for we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).


Psalm 3:5-6 – I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.


David’s confidence in the Lord allowed him to sleep in the midst of his trouble, and he awoke in safety, for the Lord sustained him. As David prepares for battle, he sings with assurance “I will not be afraid” for he knows the battle belongs to the Lord.


Psalm 3:7-8 – Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.


David put his hope in the Lord and now he rejoices because God has smitten his enemies. He gives glory to God as he exclaims “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD” because God is the Author and Originator of his salvation. Oh, that we would be like David, an oppressed righteous man who looked confidently to salvation from the Lord.

Using Literature to Teach Addition

Many of us use a curriculum to teach math; but using literature to teach math can be a great teaching tool. I am beginning this math literature series with some of the best books to teach addition. With my love for literature and math, it only makes sense to combine the two, so I have gathered some of my favorite books that teach addition in the elementary classroom.


Quack and Count by Keith Baker introduces students to addition as they slip, slide, leap, and dive with a family of seven lively ducklings as they get ready to fly for the very first time. Keith Baker’s playful, rhyming text and bold collage illustrations capture the excitement of a day’s adventure – and gently introduces counting.


Animals on Board by Stuart J. Murphy reinforces the concept of addition as students ride along with trucker Jill and her dog as they add up the animals passing by on the other trucks. But these are no ordinary animals, and they are bound for a surprise destination! Lively illustrations by R.W. Alley make adding truckloads of fun.


Domino Addition by Lynette Long shows students that math and addition can be fun and easy when you use dominos. Black and white dominos make up each number on various bold backgrounds and each page gives the various properties of numbers zero to twelve. With simple but imaginative approach, Lynette Long has created a perfect resource that teaches students how to add up each dot on an individual domino as well as how to spot different number combinations. The bright illustrations introduce basic addition to both eager and reluctant math students.


A Fair Bear Share by Stuart J. Murphy teaches simple math in story form as four bear cubs gather nuts, then blueberries, and finally seeds for their mother’s special blueberry pie. Each time they fill their baskets, the cubs count in groups of tens and ones to see if they have enough ingredients for the pie. These irresistible bear cubs make this lesson in regrouping one children will enjoy.


These are only a few of my favorite books that teach addition, there are so many more out there! Feel free to share in the comments what you consider the best book to teach addition.