Have You Checked out the Websites at the Left of Your Screen?

These websites have a lot of information that is helpful to anyone planning or considering a Principle Approach education for their children. I would suggest that you start with www.principleapproach.org and www.face.net. www.philomathfoundation.com has some very helpful audio lessons. Don't just stay on the blog...explore!!!

How to Fit Principle Approach into Your Schedule

Many people tell me that they are so overwhelmed with just the normal activities of teaching that they don't see how they can incorporate this into what they are doing as well.

The fact is--you can't. Unless...

If you incorporate researching for biblical principles and leading ideas into your personal Bible study time, it works very well. Additionally, you as a student of the God's Word will grow and blossom in ways you never imagined.

Think about these questions:

• Are you typically guided through a mechanical Bible study by simply answering "fill in the blank" type questions someone else asked you in a book, or does the Holy Spirit guide your study times?
• Do you take the time to study God's Word?

Depending on your answers to the questions above, consider what it would be like to go on a quest with the Holy Spirit in locating Biblical principle. Would that be an aid to your personal study, or is it simply additional work for your lesson planning?

It may take you a little more time. This is a more intesive Bible study than most Bible students have encountered, but I can be a personal witness to the fact that this has drawn our family closer to God in ways I could never have imagined.

Questions??

If anyone has questions about construction and implementation of a lesson or other matter pertaining to Principle Approach, this is an area where they can be asked.

Principle and Leading Idea for Multiplying with Money

I had a difficult lesson to teach my 4th grader who is in the math program recommended by the Foundation for American Christian Education [www.face.net] , RightStart. He is in Level D. On page 116 there is a lesson that applies multiplication by multiplying while counting money. I was having a difficult time locating a principle and leading idea for this example.

I approach the principle and leading idea as the main avenue for my instruction. The concept is an example of what God wishes my son to learn about His character and nature.

I did finally locate what I needed for my son. Planning is such a difficult thing for him (he is nine). For a leading idea I used Luke 14:28 which led to the principle of problem-solving. This information I found in Mr. Rose's book I listed in the previous entry.

Economics and business development in the PA homeschool

We are trying a new thing now. A number of years ago, I was teaching a high school senior and needed to know what to do for economics. I had a phone conversation with a very helpful gentleman by the name, James Rose. He works with the American Christian History Institute in California. He suggested that I look at his book, A Guide to American Christian Education: The Principle Approach. Within that book is an economics course with biblical reasoning. My husband told me, after he saw how my own understanding exploded as well as the success of the student I was teaching, that he wanted our boys to have this information as well.

At that point they were too young really. But, inspired by our shaky economy in our country, I thought that maybe it was time for me to do something to help the family budget. I could start a small home based business, and coach the boys in economics as they helped along the way.

We chose to work with Watkins. They have all sorts of natural home products like spices, natural remedies, cleaners, among other things. I have really enjoyed cooking with their vanilla and spices. The boys are highly motivated by food, so we thought we'd use this for our tangible lab activity. I'll let you know how it goes. [If anyone is interested on how to do the same thing, I could direct them as well.]

The main thing is this economics course is taught so clearly, and putting God's Word in as the foundation really makes the difference in understanding.

I'll keep you posted on how things are going.