Thursday, 31 January 2013

Connected or Disconnected ?

I've experienced a conversation like the one in the picture and sadly I need to confess I've been the one on the phone in a situation like this.

Since upgrading to my Samsung Galaxy SII I have become more and more plugged in.  I'm a memories/people person and love photography so I joined Instagram. I have lived in four countries and made friends there. Facebook means that I can connect easily and share. I enjoy great conversation so SMS'ing has broadened my circle and ability to chat.  I enjoy information and encouragement so the list of blogs to read grows daily.

Homeschooling means being home on my own often and blogs have become my new 'friends'. I love the digital age all it's gadgets that are available to allow us to be connected.

But ...

I have noticed it has become more and more a central focus of my universe.  My minds constantly yearns to know.
  • I wonder if anyone has commented on my blog ? (I love chatting to you here)
  • Why hasn't she answered my sms ?
  • What's new on my blog feed ?
  • I wonder who has found a good idea on Pinterest for me to Pin ?
  • Sigh what DVD are we going to watch tonight ?
  • Forget the dishes blogging is far more interesting ;-)
  • I  can't even enjoy dinner these days without wondering what's happening in "MY" digital world. 
    Tech-drenched has become my way of life. It amazes me how the Lord touches my life,and gently reminds me of Him.

    During one of my many internet surfing sessions I read about the National Day of Unplugging over at My Tropical Home .

    I would like to share a short YouTube clip with you as it resonates with something very deep within me.


    I've thinking about just how tech connected/addicted our whole family has become I feel this would be a good personal move for me.

    In the Word
    • There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens Ecclesiastes 3:1
    • Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16
    • But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
    • Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

    It's time to guard my heart and make a time for things or else all that precious time I do have will not be redeemed.

    I'm inspired to make this a way of life and a tradition in our home.  Now to actually take action. This is where The Sabbath Manifesto comes into play for me.


    What is it ?
    The Sabbath Maifesto exists to encourage people to commit to unplugging once a week for 24 hours.  They have suggested the following ten principles for observing a weekly day of rest from technology
    1. Avoid Technology.
    2. Connect with your loved ones
    3. Nurture your health
    4. Get outside
    5. Avoid commerce
    6. Light candles
    7. Drink wine
    8. Eat bread
    9. Find silence
    10. Give back
    To find out more about each of these principles and how to implement them pop on over to My Jewish Learning and follow the links in The Ten Principles box..

    When is it ?
    You choose your day of rest to be disconnected.  The word Sabbath is an ancient Hebrew word meaning to cease.

    No you do NOT need to be Jewish to committing to becoming unplugged once a week.

    Can I join others in commiting?
    Elsewhere on the www
    What about you will you join Alicia and commit to Disconnect in order to Reconnect ?

    Blessings
    Chareen
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    Wednesday, 30 January 2013

    HHSC - Science in High School

    "Can I teach 
    high school science?
     NO
    As your student gets older, 
    your role changes from 
    teacher to fellow learner."

    I find that science is one of those subjects that people fear in the High School years and in some ways this has a valid cause but in others it need not be something to fear.

    When I first started homeschooling over 15 years ago there were very few curriculum's for the high school years and the Internet was something only geeks accessed and never mind owning a computer that was unheard of. The fear of what are we going to use was huge and made science a daunting thing to think about.

    We had no means of researching topics, curriculum or how do I ? We had to rely on what others were doing or what ever was recommended by the latest home school catalog or home school support group.

    Today we have a multitude of platforms at our disposal from satellite classrooms to university laboratories and somewhere in between all that we have Google (a quick search on Home school High School science revealed +/- 10,600,000 hits!) . In some ways we have far to much choice and that can be a paralyzing factor in itself.

    I would like to encourage you that it is not as huge a task as you envision.  There is plenty available to support you on your journey whether you choose to learn alongside your student or encourage their independent study.

    Things to consider
    • Research your options while they are in the primary school years so that you have a clear pathway before you.  
    • Be clear on your expectations.
    • Have an understanding of the level of maths required to tackle different areas in the high school sciences.
    • Research and save for more expensive items such as a microscope.  Do you have to have a microscope ?  No but it is a great hands on learning tool that makes the sciences come alive in your home.
    • Find out where to purchase the items you need to do the practical labs.
    • Consider the scope and sequence before changing curriculum or you might end up repeating what you have already done.
    • Get to know your student and what their long term study goals are and work towards those. Make it a priority to achieve what they need to accomplish their tertiary goals in the science arena.  
    What did my science program look like?
    What influenced my choices/selection?
    • I really like a Charlotte Mason approach of twaddle free literature and Sonlight has always ticked the boxes on this front.  
    • The subject matter was interesting and there were no textbooks until Science 250.  
    • The Sonlight® Ultra Microscope was value for money that I could not pass by. I have never been disappointed with their quality and in fact this microscope has surpassed my every expectation.
    What others are saying on the www
    Some Curriculum out there today
    I would like to encourage you not to fear but embrace the high school science years.  See it as an opportunity to learn and discover more thoroughly what you have always wanted to know.  Secondly remember you can not teach it all.  There is no A-Z list for you to tick off and say right now I have taught science and we are finished.  This is a subject that is exploding with information at an exponential rate and would be physically impossible for you to teach all there is to know.

    I would love to read your thoughts on Science in high school please leave a link to your post in the comments.
    Blessings
    Chareen

    This post is part of the Home school High School Carnival.  Don't forget to pop on over to LaPaz Home Learning (post to go up in the first week of February) to read what others are saying about this topic.



    The Homeschool Village This post is linked to Ultimate Homeschool Link-up #5 over at The Homeschool Village and Featured at  Ultimate Homeschool Link-up #6
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    Tuesday, 29 January 2013

    TT - ♥ Valentines Day Resources ♥

    Valentines Day is a wonderful time of the year to help us remember those we love. Often times we seem to get in a rut and forget to say I love you.
    I love you should never just be mere words, love needs to be a VERB. I've been thinking about this over the last week and just how much my Saviour loved me. As He said: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:3 and He did so for me. As I page through the word I realize more and more just how much the Lord uses the word love in an active and action form. From this I have been inspired to find some resources to show love in a deep and meaningful way.

    All Our Days
    From the Word
    Homeschool Deals
    On line Downloads
    Further Reading
    On Pinterest

    Elsewhere on the net
    Valentine's Day Fun
    Tell Him you love Him
    May you be blessed and inspired to show love deeply to those in your sphere of influence.

    Blessings

     Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

    There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up. 



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