A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Homeschooling

Perfect Indoor Games

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The challenge from the Homeschool Review Crew this week is perfect indoor games. The best indoor games are ones that promote laughter and conversation don’t you find? 

It doesn’t matter if you are using your body on a balance board, making an indoor race track, mental challenges, callisthenics, playing board games, or doing indoor phys ed.  Whatever works for you and your family… makes for the perfect indoor games don’t you think?

perfect indoor games

Make Games to Suit Your Family

My son and I spent ages when he was a young child making up stories and playing games to go with those stories.  Sometimes they were based on the history coffee table books or the fun books we read, and yet other times just our imaginations fueled the activities of our characters.  These spilled out into other aspects of our homeschooling as jumping games for learning math, singing games to learn sight words, and more.  

I love how this mom used a track layout to practice education skills and to have fun doing new ones.  The accuracy for the toothpick challenge… how much fun is that eh?   What a great indoor game this is eh? 

Your muse might be board games

educational board games

So many games to play!   Games to learn words or math, spelling or history.  Games like scrabble, nab-it, settlers of Catan, The game of life, payday and more.  Teaching specific skills, or highlighting needs people would face from History. 

This game from  Home School in the Woods resulted in my son spending a few hours playing with his dad. My son adores strategy games and this one worked well for him.  So nice when a company includes a good game into their studies don’t you think? 

home school in the woods

I’ve listed some of my favourite games below, affiliate links to make it easy for you to check them out.  It helps support my blog without any added cost for you. 

Physical ways

Did you know that my son is two belts away from getting his black belt in Karate?  Even though with covid going on with so very few classes being held, it’s given him a physical energy outlet.   

Sometimes we have to be a bit more creative about how to use up our energy in the house. 

Have you ever done nature study in the house?   How about taking a good look at your household pet? Giving your children a chance to encourage their pet to move so they can study their pet’s movement, and perhaps copy it.  Can’t you just see your children being bunnies, cats or puppies? Can’t you see all the energy they will use up learning as they play with their pet? 

You could also go on a scavenger hunt for spiders, insects, or even mice. (depending on your house of course!).  🙂 What can you find in your house?

Other ways to add in some phys ed into your perfect indoors games.

  • table tennis
  • ping pong
  • darts
  • Skeball
  • bowling
  • target practice
  • perfecting your putt

Looking for Phys Ed inspiration?

Affiliate links to books and games on amazon that might inspire you. 

What are your perfect indoor games?  Have I missed ideas?  Share your inspiration with me!  🙂 

February Social Media Challenge

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

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O God, Our help in ages past…. our hope for years to come… 

All I have to do is hear those first few words and in my mind I’m belting out the words in my slightly off-key voice.  Sitting here the thought makes me smile.  I think perhaps this was Mr. Watts goal.  Create simple tunes that help people long-term learn about the God they worship. 

O God our help in ages past

Lyrics

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
 
Benearth the shadow of thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
 
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.
 
A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
 
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
 
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home!

Author and History

Isaac Watts was a prolific songwriter who was born in Southampton, England.  A congregation minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician.

He once bemoaned the state of spiritual singing in church saying :  “To see the dull indifference, the negligent and thoughtless air that sits upon the faces of a whole assembly, while the psalm is upon their lips, might even tempt a charitable observer to suspect the fervency of their inward religion.”   He very much wanted people to pay attention to the words they lifted up in praise to God, ergo he wrote hymns.   Mr. Watts wrote some 750 hymns, in language that the common man could easily sing.

In 1703 he began suffering from a psychiatric illness which caused him to depend more and more upon his assistant when he was pastoring at London’s Mark Lane Independent Chapel.  He needed to resign in 1712. 

Other Isaac Watts Songs:

Thinking Deeper

So… do you see how God is your help and hope?  

I was talking with my mom the other day about how I have learned to trust God more deeply.  By seeing how his word has been lived out in the people in my life, the changes he wrought in them, to enable them to be people of God he has called them to be.  This, in me, builds trust.  It’s what God’s word does as well doesn’t it?

Shows us God in action in the lives of people. Shows how people can depend on God, and how God provides for his own throughout the years. 

So how have you seen God’s help in your life? What have you experienced that helps you to dwell securely in him?  In what ways have you been aware of his guiding hand? 

If you aren’t aware and would like to talk… I’m always happy to talk about the things of God with folk. 

The Wanderer

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Peter Van den Ende has put together a marvellous wordless storybook for us.  Black and white images flood the pages as we watch the adventures of a little paper boat exploring the oceans of the world.   The Wanderer is filled with imagination and stories.  A delight to behold. Come, be delighted.

Affiliate Links will be used. 

the Wanderer

Children 8 and up who like to explore or make up stories including boats and ships will find The Wanderer by Peter Van Den Erde to be a delight.  I love the imagination shown in this 96 page hardcover edition published by Levine Querido.   

Selling for $15.99 on Amazon, The Wanderer is a black and white journey around the world.  A little paper boat explores the ocean in a meandering voyage through the oceans most interesting places. 

the wanderer map

Wordless images = stories

Don’t you just love books that encourage children to make their own stories?   I would have no compunctions about sharing this book with children younger than 5, but I might skip over a couple of the illustrations.  Some very young children might be alarmed by dark sea monsters and gloomy buildings.  But children 8 and older should have no problems enjoying the possibilities presented. 

I would love to sit down with a group of children and youth and just open up the book and say “so, tell me a circle story, everyone… just one line” and just listen to what they come up with.  

You could use the images to talk about ocean life, pollution, northern lights, pirates, boats, ships, jobs at sea and so much more. A virtual springboard of ideas to delight and educate. 

sample page for the wanderer

There’s the fun of looking for the paper boat on every page, most being standalone two-page spreads.   On some pages the hunt is a bit of a challenge, on others, not at all. Throughout, details feast the mind. 

Should you get The Wanderer?

Yes!  Be delighted with the illustrations, be surprised by unexpected stories.   The Wanderer is fantastic just to look at and consider, and a lovely conversation and/or story-starter.   It has been my delight to review it for Raincoast Books. 

Other wordless books

Other wordless books that I have reviewed.

God’s Love Shown

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I recently joined an online book club where we are given a monthly theme.  This month’s theme is God’s Love.   Seems a fairly obvious theme, what with Valentine’s day and all.  It really difficult to come up with a post for it though, what can I write about God’s love being shown?  I don’t regularly read books about love or Valentine’s or stuff like that. 

I pondered a number of ways I could approach this topic

  • What I’m learning about God’s love as seen in the book of Proverbs.
  • Books I’ve reviewed that cover the topic of love such as Bear meets Bear. 
  • Questions my lad is asking, and how I’m seeking to answer them in a variety of books I’m buying.  Why? Because of my deep love for him, and wanting to help him sort it all through. 
  • What I like to read.  I have a list that I am working through, and I love my books on audible. 
God's Love Shown

Spending time in Proverbs

In the end, I decided to go with the topic God’s love shown.   This is how God shows love to me.

He helps me to see the parameters of his love for me throughout my study of Proverbs.  For instance the other day I was listening to a sermon where the pastor took the time to show how Jesus exemplified wisdom.  All these examples from the life of Jesus on earth from these snippets from Proverbs 11 and 12.  It struck me as odd at the time, but it’s stuck with me.  God gave us a supreme example to watch for and copy. 

Helping the Lad

My time in this book of wisdom is helping to me to do what I need with my lad.  Ask him questions, give him things to research and occasionally to challenge some of his assertions. Asking him what kind of wisdom he’s actually seeking, learning to help him even to ask the questions.  I’m not doing it perfectly, and I fear for him, but I’m doing as God himself leads. 

I’m affiliate linking through amazon some of the books I’ve picked up that are helping me ask questions and answer some as well.  Books like Why Trust the bible, can science explain everything,  how we got the bible, stranger on the road to emmaus, contested bones, no God but one, taking God at his word,, can man live without God, evolutions achille’s heel. 

Valentine’s books

I haven’t reviewed a whole ton of valentines’ books, but a few have crossed my path. Amazon affiliate link, review.

The truest “Valentine” though, God’s love shown to us.  His son died for us so that we might return God’s love freely. 

Bear meets bear

Books I love to read

As much as I would like to say I love to read non-fiction, I am drawn in by fiction every single time.   I love fantasy, don’t really care for most sci-fi, love thrillers and a good mystery, but dislike scary stuff.   Some psychological thrillers I can read but often I have to read them super slowly – like over the course of two years- (Patricia Cornwall), but others I can’t handle even from the very first page.  Most drama type books are BORING, oh heavens, just so boring but I did like reading Jane Austen. Historical fiction that tells a story with rich characters can be good. 

It is surprising at how often I check glimpses of God as I listen. The care and concern, the willingness to give of oneself to help others, the sacrifice so often demanded, etc. I know much of that is simply my worldview, but God so often reminds me of his care. 

Currently, my favourite authors in the fiction realm are Brandon Sanderson (anything), Mercedes Lackey (valdemar series), Anne McCaffrey (pern books), Robin Hobb (anything about the rainwilds), and John Flanagan (ranger’s apprentice series).   

How Do you see God’s Love Shown?

How is God’s love shown you?  What glimpses have you see of him this week?  Do you felt led to see God more clearly in the books you read? 

Visit all the participating bloggers sometime during the month to find out their reading plans:
 
Hopkin’s Homeschool
At Home where life happens
The Life we build
Homeschool Coffee Break
 
February Social Media Challenge

My Jesus, I love Thee

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From my hymnal Lift Up Your hearts, (affiliate link) comes my hymn of the week My Jesus, I love thee.  I’ve known this hymn for a long time.  I was surprised to learn that it didn’t start out as a popular hymn.  Keep reading and you’ll learn what caused the change.  

My Jesus I love thee

Lyrics to My Jesus, I love Thee

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Author and History

 Will­iam R. Fea­ther­ston was only 16 years old when he penned this hymn.  Sometimes his name is spelled Featherstone.  Born in Montreal, Quebec he travelled to Toronto when he was 16 where he became a believer.  It is believed this Canadian wrote this hymn shortly thereafter. 

He sent the poem to his aunt who had it published as a hymn.  It wasn’t highly popular until evangelist Adoniram. J Gordon discovered the hymn.  He changed the tune of it, and ever since then, it’s been a favourite for many believers. 

Mr. Featherston lived 1846-1875, he died shortly before his 27th birthday.  He was married and had a son John.   We do not know much more about him.  This is the only hymn he wrote. 

Hymntime has an interesting story concerning this hymn. 

Scriptural Reference

I John 4:7-21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

……. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us……. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Thinking Deeper

What a call in this song isn’t there?  The call to have a love that is devoted to Christ.  A love so rich that nothing will stop it. 

I love the assurance that Featherston has eh?  The knowledge he has that he loves God because God first loved him.  This is such a grounding needed in our faith.  It feeds our ability to love God throughout our entire life and to praise him in all things. 

Do you know this Jesus?  Do you love him whole-heartedly and forever like Featherston did?   Ask questions if you want to know more. 

Natalie Portman’s Fables

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raincoast FTC

I love fables.  They give a good story while teaching good life lessons.   Natalie Portman has taken three well-known fables and has rewritten them to add a respect the earth message as well.  Natalie Portman’s Fables retell the stories of three popular stories. Come, let’s learn more in this review.   Affiliate links will be used. 

Natalie Portman's Fables

What you Get

Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan, has published this 64 page, hardcover tome I am reviewing for Raincoast books.   It has been delightfully illustrated by Janna Mattia. 

The three stories brought forth for retelling are

  • The Tortoise and the Hare
  • The Three Little Pigs
  • Country Mouse and City Mouse

Natalie Portman stays true to the story, but just adds the odd twist using a rhyming meter that is easy to read.   The intended audience is children 4-6 years old. 

Natalie Portman’s Fables, the details

Natalie Portman's Fables

I LOVE the illustrations.  They do so much to help tell the story.  You can sense the fear, see slyness, joy, sadness and happiness, observe the horrors of pollution, and just enjoy a well-illustrated book.  

The fables are written in rhyming couplets making it fairly easy to read.  Not all words were necessarily easy to pronounce, so I would suggest if you are reading with a group of children to give the book a good read-aloud first.   🙂   

The font size I think is better for sitting down with a child to read, or giving to a first or second grader to read themselves. 

I enjoyed the use of words I don’t normally see in a book intended for a young audience like thrum, meekness, braggart, squatter and pioneering.   I love introducing new words to children and having talking points in books is a most excellent thing. 

You’ll find lots of colour through, with ample use of white space when able.   Overall a well done book. 

Should you get it?

I don’t know.  The illlustrations and rhyming couplets make Natatlie Portman’s Fables an easy read, and I like how the author takes the known to add an element of newness. At times it felt too “sweet” for my tastes.  The danger was taken out of The Three Little Pigs story, which made it feel like it was kinda missing some of the point.   So it’s a bit of a mixed bag, which is part of the danger in retelling the story.   It’s good to use the old to help teach the new, but you need to be careful not to lose too much of the old as you do it.  🙂   

I got to thinking about this and thought huh, this might be an interesting concept to use with middle or high school students.  Teach about how to help the planet, then read these stories and issue a challenge to your students.  The challenge: how they might change a children’s story to include a” help the earth component”.  Wouldn’t that be an interesting writing challenge? 

For more writing challenges, visit SchoolhouseTeachers.com!

 

Independent Learning: a high schoolers day in the life

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Did you know I have a highs school student?   I KNOW, shocking isn’t it?  I remember so clearly the fun of my lad as a little guy, his questions as a middle schooler, and then planning for highschool.  It’s been quite the journey for us.  I thought today would be a good day to show you how homeschooling works for us.   So today, Independent Learning: a high schoolers day in the life.   

Independent Learning: a high schoolers day in the life

My son’s day starts, depending on the week we are in.   Part of his schooling is with the local highschool, and the rest is through online or textbooks.  He does 98% of his school work in his bedroom either sitting on his bed, often with his cat next to him, or sitting on his desk. 

At the beginning of the year we take the time to count out the number of schooling weeks, the chapters/lessons in his course material, and then decide how much he need to accomplish weekly to be done by the end of the year.   The end result: he can be independent in how he does his work. 

Covid Impacts

With Covid running rampant throughout the country our schools have moved to a quadmester system.  Two subjects for two months. then another two subjects for two months and so on and forth.   In reality this has turned into one subject for one week, and then one subject the following week.  

Since there are some subjects I can’t teach (aka manufacturing) he takes the odd course at our local high school.  Those days start early!  Currently, that consists of him sitting in front of the computer for three hours per day (spread throughout the day) and then working on his homework for another couple hours, and also fits in whatever other schooling he’s working on.

The benefit of quadmesters is they have taught my son the joy of just focusing on two subjects at once.   This is much easier, he finds, than doing little bits of four subjects. 

His course load

So this year he has two subjects the high school, Com Tech and Manufacturing.  His at home courses are algebra, geometry, physics, Language Arts, French, and Geography.   Sometimes things change up a bit depending on what reviews we have in the works from the crew but I mostly try to just work with what we’ve set up.   

We learned this year that through army cadets that he can get credit through the training he does with them.  So once things start up again… this will be a boon to his scholastic achievements.  At this point, his training takes place on Monday evening, online.  We hope in person, weekend training, will occur again before year-end. 

At Home Days

When he has full days at home to learn he tackles one or two courses per day.   

His current routine: 

  • 930 care for his mice, have breakfast
  • 950-1130 work on schooling
  • 1130-1215 play online games with friends
  • 1215-150 spend time with dad (dad works late shift so this is their time together)   We’ll have lunch, devotions, watch TV, play games and/or they’ll work on some project together. 
  • 150-200 read aloud time
  • 2-5 school work
  • 5 ish he often helps me with things like shovelling snow, moving stuff my bum arm gives me trouble with, goes for a walk with friends, etc.   We often use this time to catch up with where he is with his schooling.  Does he have any questions, things we need to cover together, stuck on an idea, needing reminders about getting projects done rather than having to go back etc.   
  • 6-7 he’ll do little things to finish up his school
  • 7-9 is his free-time to do whatever he wants. currently, with covid, that means playing computer games with friends.
  • 9-10 mom time, we watch tv or play games
  • 10 Bedtime.  This sometimes varies as late-night conversations sometimes happen. 

We wouldn’t have gotten to this point without laying the ground work of trust and work ethic.  My lad likes to learn, and over the years, he’s needed to learn how to work independently.   

Part of learning independence was looking at the sheer variety of courses there is at SchoolhouseTeachers.com (affiliate link).   Having this resource as one of the benefits of being on the homeschool review crew has been helpful.  

Want to learn more about teaching independence to your students?  There are 3 or 4 sessions at the Canadian Online homeschooling conference (affiliate link) all about teaching our students to be independent.  You aught to give them a listen!  Free to listen, $17 to have forever! 

canadian online conference
February Social Media Challenge