For His Pleasure
by Becky Wyand
1. As for God, His way is perfect. Ps. 18:30a
Have you ever thought, “Why does everything have to be so difficult?” Just this week I learned of a friend’s grandson’s brain tumor and a diagnosis of some tumorous disease. This young man loves the things of the Lord and has a personal relationship with Jesus. Another friend was diagnosed with a serious illness, another facing major surgery and long recovery. A friend called about her Christian daughter’s pending divorce, another about an incorrigible thirteen year old. The list could go on and on. But, in all of these situations God has purpose and a plan for His own glory.
As you face the dilemmas of home schooling, ask God to give you His point of view. Ask Him to continue to show you His way- knowing for sure that it is perfect.
2. Reading
This is a good time in the school year to evaluate your child’s reading ability. Consider?
1) Can he tell me what the story is about? (Main idea)
2) Can he give me the order of 2 or 3 events in the story? (Which happened first?)
3) Can he retell the main parts of the story in their given sequence? (Without going into unnecessary detail)
4) Can he prove that his answer is right by reading pertinent information in the story?
5) Can he answer “what if?” kinds of questions and be realistic?
6) Can he accurately describe the characters in the story?
7) Can he give some idea of the author’s intent in writing his book or story?
3. Vocabulary
After your child has some mastery of reading then adding vocabulary drills is a good idea.
The best way to improve vocabulary is to use it. That would include encouraging conversations in the home and reading great books on a variety of topics.
Additionally, you may choose to add drills with flash cards or by computer. Studying the roots of words is also helpful. Your library would be a good starting place for vocabulary ideas, such as Word Power.
4. Penmanship
Penmanship can be practiced as part of your dictation instruction as part of your dictation instruction time. Workbooks are helpful for practicing the right way to make letters. Aren’t you surprised to hear me say that?!
5. Discipline
What do you do with a child who is afraid to be wrong? Sometimes we say that these children are perfectionists or anxious to please. While I am sure there are exceptions to what I write here, often I’ve found these thoughts to apply and to be helpful.
Consider:
1) These children usually are right. They are often quick and bright. They may have strong opinions and leadership gifts.
2) Ask yourself, “Why does he NEED to be right?”
3) Often you will discover that the NEED to be right is rooted in a self-righteous attitude. As this attitude is encouraged the child will have a puffed up spirit that often disguises itself as low self-esteem.
What do we do with the puffed-up spirit?
Sometimes it helps to be honest with what you see. Kindly and gently deal with ‘you think too highly of yourself.’ Discuss what other ways the child might look at a situation. Encourage the child to try new things as a practice for the right attitude.
6. Chores
Please keep in mind that chores can serve as a way to:
1) Teach specific skills.
2) Show the need for character training.
Therefore chores need to have a specific spot on the schedule. Also, someone needs to check if the chore was finished as defined. Striving for this will give the household a more peaceful environment.
7. Habits
Did you ever try to break a habit? If so, you will be encouraged to discover poor habits and work quickly to change them to profitable habits. The longer a poor habit is practiced, the harder it is to change.
Consider doing this to replace habits:
1) Name the habit.
2) Ask God to take it away- by name.
3) Replace the poor one with a profitable one.
4) Have a helper to remind you when he sees the bad habit.
5) Go back to 1, 2, 3 above again.
Have a great, God honoring Spring.