Homeschooling Through an Academy

Many homeschoolers seek accreditation through an academy to provide themselves with some comfort in knowing their homeschool program is legitimate; but after homeschooling through an academy for seven years, we now homeschool on our own and I would like to share our story.

My husband graduated from the public school system; but I graduated from homeschooling through an academy. We both knew that God’s Word called us to homeschooling; but my husband would only do so through an academy because he sought accreditation and wanted to be sure our homeschool was legitimate. Accreditation is a validation or statement by an accrediting agency that a school or department within a school has been thoroughly investigated and found worthy of approval. Accrediting agencies are organizations that establish operating standards for educational or professional institutions and programs, determine the extent to which the standards are met, and publicly announce their findings. But, you do not need to seek accreditation to homeschool.

Our family homeschooled for seven years through an academy. The academy provided everything we needed, including achievement testing, lesson planner, textbooks, teacher manuals, course instructions, and maintenance of academic records. The academy provided a complete curriculum; but when we asked to use a different curriculum for science, the academy would not allow the curriculum for the grade level, even though the publisher stated the curriculum was for that grade level. Needless to say, we withdrew our students from the academy to homeschool on our own. We now have the freedom to choose our own curriculum! We now have the freedom to plan our school year – no more rigid work-submission schedules! Why pay thousands of dollars for administrative services when you can do this yourself? I have created a lesson planner that is also records grades and helps me keep up with my girls academic records.

Homeschooling through an academy has many benefits; but homeschooling on your own has even more! God has called us to homeschool and He will equip us to do so! Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Happy Homeschooling!

Joy to the World

As one of the most joyous of all Christmas hymns, this carol omits references to shepherds, angelic choruses, and wise men. It emphasizes instead the joy that Christ's birth brought to mankind. For centuries hearts had yearned for God to reveal Himself personally. At last it happened as "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).  The entire Christmas season should be filled with rejoicing as we contemplate anew God's great gift, providing the means whereby sinful man might live eternally.

The text was originally titled "The Messiah's Coming and Kingdom" when it first appeared in Isaac Watts' hymnal of 1719. The music for this popular carol is thought to have been adapted by Lowell Mason from some of the phrases used in parts of George Fredrick Handel's beloved oratorio, The Messiah, first performed in 1742. Through the combined talents, another great hymn was born.

 

Praying you have a joy-filled Christmas as we celebrate all that Christmas means. Merry Christmas! 

Magic Stix Washable Markers

Have you heard about the new Magic Stix Washable Markers? The Pencil Grip, Inc. recently asked me to promote these markers before the holiday and I can honestly say they offer quality and innovation you can trust.

The Magic Stix Washable Markers are a revolutionary new product to bring safe, creative fun to your crafts! I love the bright bold colors and the fact that the markers are washable; but the best part is that they won’t dry out for seven days with the cap off! Magic Stix Washable Markers are guaranteed to bring long lasting color to the page. These washable, odorless and non-toxic markers will remain fresh use after use, project after project.

 

Magic Stix Washable Markers are available on Amazon in both 24 packs and 12 packs. The 24 pack offers you 24 assorted colors and the 12 pack offers you 12 classic colors.

Creativity is an essential part of every child’s education! Children can leave the caps off and not worry about the markers drying out while they create their masterpiece with Magic Stix Washable Markers!

 

The Railroad Museum

Imagine spending a day with TRAINS! You can tour several of the rail cars, take a ride on a caboose or share lunch in the dining cars! The Railroad Museum even offers a fun and educational “Scavenger Hunt”! Students learn a wealth of information regarding the history of railcars and railroading that made our country what it is today. The Railroad Museum has the world’s largest collection of railroad dining ware. They also have an inter-active display of lights and cross bucks that the children can activate by pushing buttons.

The Railroad Museum is located at 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, Texas 77550. Visit http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com/visitor-information.html  for more information!

Learning Through Literature about the Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker begins with prologue where guests are arriving at the house of President and Mrs. Stahlbaum for a Christmas party. The children, with lovely Clara Stahlbaum and her spirited brother, Fritz, are enchanted by the beautiful tree and the many gifts. Soon the elderly relatives arrive and refreshments and dancing continue. The children move to their parents, when suddenly, in comes Drosselmeyer, the strange magician, bringing life-size clockwork toy dolls as presents. He gives Clara a toy Nutcracker which Fritz covets, and soon a quarrel begins as the naughty brother snatches the toy and throws it to the floor. Drosselmeyer hurriedly comes to the rescue and the little girls begin to play with their dolls. Not for long, however, for the boys keep upsetting the little girls with their devilish pranks! At last, one final dance brings the festivities to an end as the guests and their sleepy children depart.

When the house is quiet, Clara cannot sleep for thinking of her Nutcracker Doll. At midnight she returns to seek her toy. However, by one of the metamorphoses common only to fairyland, the familiar room becomes a battlefield for toy soldiers who come to life under the command of the Nutcracker Doll. They wage war against the invading horde of mice led by the Rat King. Clara is fearful for her beloved Nutcracker Doll and helps him to victory by hitting the Rat King with her slipper.

Clara is seen passing through a storm of snowflakes on her way to the Kingdom of Sweets. Clara and Drosselmeyer are greeted and led to a throne that has been prepared for Clara. Little cooks serve her delightful goodies and she tells them of the battle between the mice and soldiers. The Prince introduces a group of animated dancers from many lands representing Chocolate, Coffee and Tea. Russian dancers leap and Mirlitons with their reed pipes dance, while beautiful bouquets of flowers honor her. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince crown the festival with their own expression of love and perfection by dancing the grand “Pas de Deux.” To bid farewell to their guests, each group returns for a last goodbye, for all beautiful dreams finally come to an end!

My Happy Homeschool is learning through literature about the Nutcracker Ballet with the following books:

 

Peter Tchaikovsky and the Nutcracker Ballet

 

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet

 

Nutcracker and Mouse King

Happy Homeschooling!