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Quotes from “Frontier Ways: Sketches of Life in the Old West”
I found the book Frontier Ways: Sketches of Life in the Old West, by Edward Everett Dale, on eBay as Brian and I were searching for living books for homeschool last year. Ever since I read the Little House on the Prarie books and the Kirsten American Girl Doll books as a child, the Old West has fascinated me–homesteaders in particular. What I like best about this particular book are the beautiful language Edward Everett Dale employs and the fact that he lived in a small town, surrounded by homesteaders, Native Americans, and cowhands, at the turn of the last century. He has first-hand experience of what life was like…
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How to Do a Nature Study with a Grammar School Class
The lead teacher at the Classical Christian school I teach at asked me if I could talk with some of the grammar school teachers about how to do a nature study with their students. As a way to sort out my thoughts, I decided to write this article. Here’s how I would do a nature study with a grammar school class. In the Classroom Nature study begins in the classroom, reading books about the natural world to your students and giving them ample time to ask questions. You can choose 6-8 books to cycle through during the year. The books you choose must correspond to something you can actually go…
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More BIG Changes for Me and My Family
I got a job! The Classical school in our area was looking for a part-time science teacher. Homeschooling has been tough these last couple months, and the kids miss interacting with friends–they won’t admit it, but I know they do! I also miss being part of a school community. As you know from my posts, we did Classical Conversations for a couple years in the city we lived in previously. I like the Classical education model (I believe Charlotte Mason was a Classical educator) and Samuel does, too. I’m excited to continue with the same type of model we enjoyed before. Samuel will be going to school just in the…
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A Few of My Favorite Quotes from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Charlotte Mason encouraged her students to keep something she calls a Book of Mottoes, or a Commonplace Book. She says, “In the reading of the Bible, of poetry, of the best prose, the culling of mottoes is a delightful and most stimulating occupation, especially if a motto book be kept, perhaps under headings, perhaps not.” I keep a Commonplace Book in Charlotte Mason-fashion. I use my Book to write down my own poems and music, sermon notes, lecture notes from Bible studies, book studies, and The Habit, story ideas, funny things my kids say, recipes I create, lists of things I need to do or buy, journal entries, schedules, and…
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A Tour of Our New House, and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, dear friends and family! As you might guess, our big update this year is that we moved back to the area in which I grew up. I would, however, like to give you a personal update about each of us. I’ll go first! I started writing a lot this year. Much of my inspiration to write came from participating in The Habit, but I also had more time to write once everything went into lockdown mode in March. I’m so thankful for all of you reading and listening to the articles, poems, and music I post! When I started this blog, I hoped to build a small community…