My Notebooking

I meant this comment to be in response to one of our comments below, but I wrote too much so I'm placing it here. I hope it is useful to you.

The notebooks are an extremely valuable part of the PA method. In fact, I wouldn't hesitate to say they are at the very heart of what we do. Notebooking is not just something we have our boys do--we also use the method in our personal studies.

I used the method while working on my Master's degree at a local Christian University. Although the University is a Christian university and the faculty and administration honor God in what they do with their students, they are not unusual in the fact that they do not practice the Principle Approach. In the beginning of my program I received many amused comments when I walked in with my binder and hole puncher. I chuckled with them, and simply told them that I used these tools because of my own inadequacies. I do lose things if they are not attached in a binder. That's just how I am. The most amusing thing was to watch them watching me. As the course of study began, I would listen to the professor and read the course syllabus to determine how to set up my dividers. I would quietly go about setting up my notebook as I listened to the course introduction. Then my notebook was my tool throughout all my studies. I chose key words from the courses to define and research in key word studies--outside of the professor's assignments. I asked questions. Lots of questions. In fact, my advisor once told me that professors had been discussing me--warning one another about me. They would tell each other that I was really nice if they just gave me time--'she simply asks a lot of questions; don't be intimidated.' That really struck me as funny. If you know me personally, I'm really soft spoken and I love people. I never dreamed the word intimidating and Michelle Heidemann would be used in the same sentence!

What happened next was really interesting. I was very successful in my work at the University. In fact, my thesis was even published on a secular educational research engine even though it was about Biblical reasoning in learning. About halfway through my course of study people started to ask me if they could borrow my hole puncher. I noticed that they had binders of their own, and they weren't laughing anymore (they didn't bring hole punchers though. I think they knew they could use mine). [I was also a homeschool parent with an education background taking classes with Christian public school educators. They, in the beginning, felt I was a bit of a 'traitor'.]

I share that story because I took the method into a situation that wasn't set up for it and used it anyway--kind of like Daniel in Babylon (although this is a wonderful university and was very flexible in allowing my to tailor my degree toward my own needs, and I met some wonderfully Godly people and challenging professors). Doing this made all the difference in my success.
It is important to not be rigid in your selection of dividers. The 4 Rs (research, reason, relate, record)do need to be utilized for successful learning; however, it isn't necessary to call your dividers that unless it works well for you and/or your children (find what works best for your children; it may not be what works for you). I will give you our dividers for the year if you promise not to be rigid with them either. Just use them as an example.

History:1.Foundations2.Timeline3.Key Individuals4.Key Events5.Key Documents6.Research (includes notes)7.Quizzes

English:1.Foundations2.Orthography3.Grammar4.Composition5.Speech (Elocution)6.Syntax
Literature:1.Foundations2.Bible as Reader (BAR)3.Poetry4.Shakespeare5.Quizzes(then a divider for each major work studied)

Spanish1.Foundations2.Vocabulary3.Homework4.Grammar5.Quizzes

Mathematics1.His Story of Mathematics2.Foundations3.Principles (mathematical laws here)4.Notes5.Homework6.Tests

Science1.Foundations2.His story of Physical Science or Meteorology (the boys are taking different branches)3.Experiments4.Study questions5.Tests

Logic1.Foundations2.His Story of Reasoning3.Notes4.Essay5.Tests

Economics1.Foundations2.His Story of Economics3.Notes 4.Homework5.Tests

My teacher notebook:1.Calendar2.Gabe (place for records)3.Michael4.Lesson Plans5.Resources and bibliography...I will probably add more

I have a binder for this course as well:1.Reflections2.Word Studies3.Research4.Ideas for instruction (an application area to what I do with the boys)Then, since I also use if for a couple of other studies I have a couple more dividers in the back for those.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.

Lesson 3: Handwriting

Is handwriting important? On page 102 Miss Slater makes a point that making handwriting important instills character. She even points out the interesting point that individual letters are even call 'characters'. Is the attention to detail important? Why do you think so--or not?

Lesson 3: Reading

Another statement I found interesting is located on page 99 of Teaching and Learning America's Christian History: " We have the means of success but we are not successful. Why? One teacher knew when she said 'The purpose is to take away our ability as a nation to read the Word of God.'"

The emphasis for literacy began in the Reformation. As the Bible began to appear in the language of the people, there was also a push to make certain that everyone could read so that they could enjoy the truths of God's Word in their own languages. During the early years of our Republic literacy rates soared in the 90th percentile. Children were taught to read using the Bible as their primary text.

When my oldest son was in kindergarten in a public school, the teacher told him it wasn't important at that time to learn to spell (she was a proponent of the whole language movement). He carried that with him and he still works on catching that up today. Many that started in his class are extremely weak in their spelling even now. Literacy rates in our country continue to drop.

Why is literacy no longer important? I know that many would argue with my even writing the preceding question; however, we know historically that when it was important, almost without exception, everyone could read.

Mathematics

I found this to be an interesting statement from page 98 in Teaching and Learning America's Christian History: "The breakdown of the integrity of whole numbers and their identity is related to the breakdown of the integrity and identity of the individual in our society. Many will challenge this statement!"

Ponder and discuss the idea that our methods of teaching directly relate to the lack of absolutes in our culture and in our pagan thinking today (whether the individual is a Believer or not).

Lesson 3: 'What Hast Thou in the House?'

Resources for home schools are never inexpensive. I may not be as costly as private school, but sometimes I think it's not far off. (And I know that even though none of us consider public school to be an option, fees and school supplies there aren't cheap either). There is, however, a question of how do we best steward the resources that God gives us.

Along with what I believe is God's approach for education, the Principle Approach offers the opportunity to make the most of what we have in the house. After the major outlay of the purchase of foundational books, purchases for homes using the Principle Approach are not at all exorbitant. I have family that spends in the 1000s each year for their homeschooling materials. We don't. The first year was the most expensive as we purchased our foundational books. After that we've spent less than $500 per year for both boys. This year I haven't spent anything yet. Our planned purchases will be about $250. The point is that we begin with what we have. There is a biblical principle that states that we are to use well first what God has already given us. When we use those things well, then He will bless us with more. It may only be just what we need, but we will and do have what we need right now.

I have found many things at Goodwill--actually I believe they were things that God placed for me there. Once, while shopping at Goodwill, I found a set of books (20 volumes) for $1.99 each that contain primary source documents for every period of American history. They are an awesome source for working with speeches and essays and sermons from our history. We already had made a priority of purchasing the foundational books from FACE. Those also have a great deal of primary sources that we have found useful. There are some internet sources that allow free downloads of literature. We have found some of our needs there. During my last trip to Goodwill I found a beautiful copy of Hans Brinker. There is another online source for used materials I use: www. alibris.com. I've found things there. Plus we use the library a lot. I do have a great library here at the house, but I have gotten to the point that I'm purchasing really very little and we still have jr and sr high to finish. I don't expect our purchasing to change all that much through that time.

Lesson 3: This is a Place for Questions and Discussions about Using the Notebook in Your Lessons

Reflect upon the Suggestions for Methods and Curriculum Writing from the Chart on Page 33 Here

Lesson 3: How Do You Plan to Adapt the Notebook Grading Sheet for Your Students?

Enjoy Lesson 2

All our discussions for now are posted for lesson 2. We can begin this, but remember that if you have more to add for Lesson 1, those blogs are still open. We can continue that as well. If you are doing this study with me, we will learn more about this study as we return to the blog area to see new posts. Sign up to have comments sent to your email, so you know when new comments come in. I, by no means, have a monopoly on knowledge in this area, and I learn and am 'sharpened' by your comments. I will be entering my comments on Lesson One today and tomorrow. If you have anything to add or challenge in my comments, I really value your insights.

Renew

What insights did God bring to you through your word study on the word, "renew?"

Where is the battleground for believers?

Let's discuss this one together.

Research, Reason, Relate, and Record

These steps to Biblical reasoning really took me some time to wrap my arms around. Be patient with yourself here. Practice is a good word here. The more you work toward your understanding here the sooner you will master them. Ask lots of questions, and share your own wisdom with us in regard to these steps. Randy's grandmother used to always say, "Many hands make light work." I would also say that many minds (focused on Christ) make more learning. :)

Word Studies

I'm often asked, "How far do I go with a word study?" My answer: "I don't know." The best thing to do here is to follow God's leading. It is a good idea in the beginning to limit it a bit, so that you can get the routine of each of the steps. Getting to the point of applying what you learn Biblically to your own life is very important. Understand the process before living in a particular word--you can always return to the study later. I know of some word studies that have gone on for a life time with the student adding to his learning all the time in a cyclical manner (meaning going through all the steps over and over again).

This can be overwhelming for children when teaching them this activity. In their case it is best to start small and grow over the years, encouraging them to expand on their own as they grow. Be careful not to take the fun out of it for them. I get so excited about this part of my own learning that I sometimes forget that my boys don't always see things through my eyes. What I see as a treasure trove, they may see as a mountain of useless work. Start small and strive to choose words and subjects that apply directly to their lives.

Lesson 2: Education Glossary

Is there anything you would like to share here that was new for you? Do you have any questions?

Lesson 2: Psalm 119

If you are like me, writing all my reflections on this might wind up to be more than we bargained for. Instead, share with us highlights of your gleanings here.

Hebrews 4:12

According to Hebrews 4:12, what are our defensive and offensive weapons in the Spirit?

New Lesson Entries Later Today

Our discussion has been great, and I know we will be continuing. The great thing about this format is, if you haven't been able to start yet, the discussion is always there and can continue no matter what part of the study you are currently working on--as long as this blog is online (which I anticipate will be a very long time as God wills). Enter in at any point, but if you are looking for Lesson 2, it will be entered later today.

Enjoy your study time!

Is Anyone Interested in Blogging Live? I found a way.

What Do I Use to Teach Reading?

As far as reading is concerned, the Bible as Reader (BAR) program is the one I use. It incorporates the Spalding method which you can find at www.spalding.org. The Spalding method might also seem a bit overwhelming since it is a method rather than a curriculum. It’s really not, though, and I would be happy to help you with that as well if you wish. There are lesson plans for the BAR method in the Noah Plan Lessons books as well as in Walking with Jesus, which is meant for a little bit older children. Using the Bible to learn how to read goes all the way back to the beginnings of modern literacy based in the Reformation when the purpose for teaching everyone to read was so that they could read the Bible. I find it to be an excellent method of instruction for my own children.

Since I have been doing this a number of years, I’m no longer using the lesson plans although I do sometimes refer to them for ideas from time to time. But the lesson plans mentored me and enabled me to fly a little bit more on my own so that I can tailor things to our boys a bit more. Over time I know you will find that to be true for you as well. I do refer to the subject guides, primarily using the scope and sequence to keep myself on track, but even that I use only as a guide.

Some of My Thoughts on Chapter One

I'm not going to address the reflections yet. (There's only been one response at this point) But I wanted to enter some of my personal thoughts on chapter one. The major purpose of this blog has been to mentor others, but it also serves as a sort of journal for me in this area of learning. So this entry is both a way to cement my own thoughts as well as sharing with you.

I am reminded of the purpose for this study in this chapter (from page 13), and I want to keep that before me as I study.

1. I want to place this in the context of being a spiritual journey rather than an educational workshop.
2. It will challenge my intellect.
3. I still possess vain and deceptive philosophies, and I pray that God will root those out.
4. This study (as always) sets me on a course of renewing and awakening my mind.
5. It will elicit a commitment from me.
6. It will establish a Christian philosophy of education within me.

Also, a key point to me was keeping the 4 steps (pp. 16-17) always in front of me. I can't be successful if I don't keep the order right of preparing my heart before I study God's Word, and before I am able to practice the principles of scholarship and character. Only then can I teach others. And teaching others is important--whether it's in a forum like this one or whether it's my own children. But I will not communicate anything I am not first practicing myself. I think that's the point of the Scripture shared by Carol and Elizabeth, "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher." Luke 6:40.

This study benefits more than just those whose children are at home because we should all be learning all the time. Learning God's Truth draws us closer to Him, and that's what I want.

Blog Archive

You may have to go into the blog archive to access all our discussion points. The blog only lists so many, but everything for Lesson 1 is here. In order to really benefit, don't fudge on any of your readings (especially the ones from God's Word).

Lesson 1: Question 8

Do I have a teachable spirit?

Lesson 1: Question 7

Am I willing to rethink what I already know about Christian education and be retooled in Biblical methods of teaching and learning? [Ahh...I love this question!!]

Lesson 1: Question 6

Do I like to read, research, and reason for myself and with my children?

Lesson 1: Question 5

[I added this question] How do I inspire the consent of my students?

Lesson 1: Question 4

Am I willing to expand my vocabulary of liberty and learning?

Lesson 1: Question3

Do I enjoy writing? Am I willing to develop the necessary language skills to teach and correct student work?

Lesson 1: Question 2

What is the difference between perfectionism and excellence, and can I set aside perfectionism for excellence?

Self-Directed Study Discussion Topic: Lesson 1

To leave your response, click on the 'comment' link below this entry.

Question 1: What characteristics stood out to you? How do these characteristics apply to Christian education now? What is your role in the education of your students?

Daniel and Timothy

If you are waiting for your materials, you can begin your study by reading the 1st 6 chapters of the book of Daniel. Then make a note about what you notice about Daniel's character. When you finish that, read 1st and 2nd Timothy, also noting what you notice about his character. We'll do something with these notes later.

Notebook Standard for "The Self-Directed Study in the Principle Approach"

We will be talking about the notebook standard later in this study. For now we need to think about modeling for our students. Use a 2 inch binder (you may want to add to the binder later). Place plenty of notebook paper and a set of dividers in the notebook. You don't have to lable the dividers yet; savet them for later. Only write on one side of the page with a using only one color of ink since that is what we will be asking of our students.

There's no need to yet be concerned about everything in the 'notebook standard'. We'll get to that later.