November 19, 2009 by admin.

This time, I thought that it might be nice to let one of the kids do a blog since you hear from me all the time!  Sometimes it’s good for kids to hear how other kids think about things.  When I asked, Sarah volunteered to do it.  So below are her words.  :) 

Sarah’s rambling thoughts (I have a lot of these)

 PORTFOLIO OR STANDARDIZED TESTS

All I have known before this year was standardized testing. Now that we are doing the portfolio I can compare the two. The portfolio is stressful when you’re trying to get things done on time and in order, but you do get to see what you are really learning, and what progress you’ve made, which is great. And doing reports and making movies are a fun way to get extra points (Right Mom? J).

 The standardized tests through the years were fun for a while. But they do not show you exactly what questions you got wrong or what ones you got right.

 But the MAIN reasons for not doing the Tests this year were…

1. Mom had peace with God in doing the portfolio this year.

 2. The standardized tests are full of evolutional and environmental junk, which means you  must choose their answer in order to get the question correct- even if they are completely wrong, and you didn’t know or care how old the dinosaur bone might be if it were found under however many dozens of layers of polluted earth.

3. Because it was no fun driving so far, paying and packing for lunches, and having to get to bed early so we could get up earlier.  

So, I am enjoying the portfolio so far and I have no problem with doing my work. Most of the time anyway. J

Sarah’s second rambling thought

FRIENDS (a confusing definition of friends)

 I really don’t have any BEST friends my age that I can talk to every day, but that’s OK, since I have so many different kinds of friends and talk to different ones almost every day! My friends are my family and my family’s friends. When my family meets my friend then my friend becomes my family’s friend, if my friend is a good friend for me. (Did ya get that?)  If dad and mom don’t like the people I talk to then I usually won’t get too close or make friends with them, because I know that they know what is best for me. BUT (Now to my point) More than all my friends, Jesus is my friend. And though I fail Him, He always loves me and will stay with me and never leave me. When I complain about all the “friends” that never talk to me anymore He says, “Hey, you haven’t talked to me in a while, “Why are you complaining that you don’t have any friends? I’ll always be your friend.

Sometimes this old world get’s me down and I don’t know what to do.Sometimes it gets hard to smile. I can’t see the sun shining through.But even in my darkest day, when I can hardly see my way, I can feel the hand of Jesus. He’s been a friend to me. 

Jesus gave my life a song. Jesus I’ll sing it all day long. He makes my life worth living you see. He’s been a friend to me. He’s been a friend to me. 

He’s a friend when the day is done, when I feel the wind blow.And He’s a friend when the morning sun, sets my world all aglow.More than all, He was my friend, before I knew I needed Him.Greater love has no one. He gave His life for me. 

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 

Sarah’s Third Rambling Thought

TEACHERS (and my brother)

My Dad teaches history. If there is one thing I just do not like, it’s learning history. If I don’t know I’m learning history, then history is great! My Daddy can make it very interesting, and sometimes I can get into it. My Mom is a great teacher; she can explain things to me in different ways so that I can understand. Economics is yet another weight holding me back, but Mom is coming to the rescue as soon as we have time to breathe. My sister Leah is my math teacher. I’d like to say she is doing a great job. I understand some of the things in algebra that I didn’t get before. She takes the time most MORNINGS, ( only when she is completely awake J) to explain this and that, and why  that I don’t need to understand why this or how that. She will be a great teacher. I guess I need to mention

Ok so tie all these rabbit trails together (if you could make hide or hair of it J) we get:

Portfolios are fun.

A Friend who isn’t hard to find,

My teachers (and brother) are fantastic!

Hmmm all those F’s make me nervous I’d better go and study!  

Posted in teachers, friends, brothers and sisters, standardized testing, portfolio | 2 Comments »

November 3, 2009 by admin.

Well it’s about time for the first 9 weeks report cards to come out.  If your family is like mine, it may happen, or it may not!  Since we have been travelling so much this fall, it’s not likely that a report card will be due any time in the next week or two.  But I WILL get it done.  :)   And I expect good progress for the most part, too.  I don’t just look at actual scores.  I’m not talking about cooking the books either.  I am talking about an attitude grade. 

When looking at the letter of the law, always remember to run to the cross as fast as you can.  For the law is only a schoolmaster - and a harsh one, I must say!!!    It only shows us what we cannot accomplish.  But the law of grace! Oh how precious to hear those words - you’re forgiven!   What a day, when I met Christ, my Savior!  And he took away my guilt an shame!  What a day when Jesus paid my ransom, and he placed his Spirit deep within!   Jesus paid it all!  All to HIM I owe! 

Okay- my glory spell is over now!  :) 

What I am talking about is- DO NOT be a pushover with your children.  Justice is justice, and if they didn’t do their work happily and thoroughly, they do not need A+’s.   Be sure to have certain expectations.  BUT always err on the side of grace when it comes to attitude. 

Once (it seems like a very long time ago) a preacher used his pastoral authority in a very wrong way, and admonished his congregation to serve the Lord out of sheer duty even if they were told to do things above their ability by those in authority over them.  He went on to say that it did not matter in which attitude they served, it just counted that they did it.  They were in a position of servitude, and they were to do as told and ask no questions because it just counted in the eyes of God that they did what was “right”, not in motive. 

 But that’s not right!  I can hear you screaming at the screen.  Consequently, when folks in authority act that way, God has a way of making things right.  He was removed from office.

Remember that when you are looking for a certain amount of work to be done by your little one.  You’re in authority, yes.  They should obey you, yes.  However, your NEED for a certain amount of work to be finished for their portfolios is kind of selfish.  You want to ’show them off’ at the end of the year!!!  I hear you. 

I caution you, do not look for the unsatisfied amount in your children; but concentrate on the good.  They are learning.  The burden of proof is NOT on them.  It is on YOU.  
Think about it.  Does it really matter if all the G’s on the paper are in the lines the first time?   Do it again later after they have learned to do it through practice.  Show progress.  Does it matter if there are no ‘oopsies’ outside the lines?   What is a noun, what is a verb?  Can they do square roots?  TEACH them the terms, but in practice.  In a way they can understand.

Oh there is so much I want to say!!  There is not enough room.  (Confessing another fault. I talk too much! haha) 

I guess I better get back to report cards.  I WILL get it done. 

One day there WILL be a judgment at the throne of God.  If we are saved, we will be judged  for our works.  I am ashamed to say that many of my works will be burned up and there might be a pile of ashes at my feet instead of crowns.  I’m trying to get it together, I really am!  And that counts.  My attitude DOES count.  (Ask for my Pastor’s message about an Inconvenient Truth, and it will explain this blog better!!!)   I’m gettin’ rid of the big I in my life as best as I can! 

Of course, if you are not saved, most of this stuff doesn’t matter because you will not be judged for your works, but for rejecting the most precious gift that was ever given - salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.  You will be standing at a totally different judgment.  Be SURE your sins will find you out.  You need to be saved if you are not. 

Admit you are a sinner.  Repent of your sins, and ask Jesus Christ to save you from your sins.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.   If you have questions regarding the issue of salvation, please contact us at thehoys@hoyfamily.net

Posted in attitude, report cards, curriculum, homeschooling | 1 Comment »