Two Birds and One Stone

Oops, Peter is too tired for lunch!

I've been thinking about "killing two birds with one stone" lately. The myriad of tasks Moms have to see about each day can overwhelm us if we review them mentally one at a time.  How will we EVER get it ALL done? Seems the more we have to do the easier it becomes to double our efforts. The more responsibility we have, the better our "two birds with one stone" aim gets.

Let's try to build these lincoln logs just
like the picture in this book.

Here are some ways it happens around here:
You'll notice that often way more than two birds are getting tagged here...

Seth and Peter making peanut butter.

• Peter was given the job of putting over-ripe bananas into a zip- loc bag to freeze for smoothies. "Z-i-p-l-o-c" was a mini phonics lesson printed right on the bag and we talked about preserving the bananas they wouldn't go to waste too.
• Seth was assigned to read "The Story of Money" to Joe and Pete. They all learned while Seth focused not only on the subject but on ready clearly as to be understood.
• We often bake "for Math" for the younger children. Recipes must be at least doubled and sometimes quadrupled around here. Followed with cleaning up.
• Snuggling in bed last night with Peter (5) we played at rhyming words and opposites. It went on for a long time too...much longer than a planned "session" of such an activity would have.  No stress...just cuddles, giggles, rhymes and opposites and some of those quite silly! Our school knows NO hours!
• Evenings our family often enjoys watching movies, lectures, and what Pete has dubbed "docu-enemies" together.
• We play word games like "Scrabble" which serves for a little "school" and relaxation mixed together.
• We usually cook five gallons of soup, stew or chili at once.
• Our children convert our living room into a department store. This counts for Math as they buy and sell and make change with real money. The room must be left nicer than when they started so there's a bonus there.
• Lunchtime turns into "Restaurant" play with the kitchen window screen removed and order given through it. So rather a boring lunch time, playtime, counting money again, and serving are done.
• We eat outside when we can...there's alot to talk about out there, it keeps the inside of the house clean(er) and we often notice things that need to be done outside (especially if Dad is home for that meal)
• Joe and Ruth both need work on number facts so they do flashcards together.
• Science, social studies, geography and history are subjects we do all together. Specific assignment pertaining to these subjects, such as writing, are given according to the grade level of each student. For instance while an older student writes a report and younger one may only need to draw a picture.

Everbody making applesauce, even the company!

Mary drew this from the photo above it...good eh?

My reason for sharing this is to point out that school at home is a completely different thing than school at school.  It helps so much to separate our minds from what we grew up with. I'm not sure I even like the term "school" all that much anymore. I prefer "Learning" for it defines what takes place everywhere, all the time.  Home-learning happens around the clock. Yes, we have specific blocks of time where formal study takes place, basically from 9 until noon. But, you'll see our children doing all sorts of learning outside of that box. They'll be doing "P.E" things like playing basketball, riding horses, playing soccer, jogging, racing,bike riding, roller blading, snow shoveling, snow boarding, sledding, long jumping, climbing trees...the list goes on. By the way, have you ever noticed that the school system has to add the word "education" in order to justify teaching certain things? Imagine a class called just "Physical"? or how about "Sex" or "Multicultural"? That would never fly... a sex class! indeed! But, that is exactly what is being taught, don't be mistaken...ask a high school student! Children that learn at home have more time to learn. Ever wonder why the neighbor kids come home from spending 6 or more hours in the government school with....HOMEWORK? Most of the time there is spent in just managing too many unruly children in one place at one time.

"After" school activities include things like: Bible study, prayer, letter writing, helping the elderly, babysitting, gardening, animal husbandry, drawing, crotchet, writing, sewing, baking, gourmet cooking...this is another list that goes on and is.only limited by the children's imagination, really.

Dad and Ruth working with Mystique.

Joe and Pete showing little Bennett their pet chicken, Snow.

God equips parents to teach and train the children He gifts them with. There will always be enough time and energy to do His will. He can show us how to double our efforts. Let Him help you think outside of the "school" box and let learning happen, naturally and always. 

After "school" art class

David did the impossible. He killed the Giant Goliath with ONE little stone. But the power of God was in his effort and it succeeded. When it was all over he gave God all of the glory when he proclaimed: "God has given you into my hands".