1 John 1:6-7

It is the beginning of August.  The sun gets later and later each morning.  I am starting to beat it to the porch in the morning.  My handwriting tells me at what point in my journaling did it arrive.  Before, the lines are arbitrary.  After, there is calmness and order.

The Farm's Summer Sunrise View

This is something we know.  With light comes clarity.

This week's Interactive Study Journal is looking at light - and how we reside it in and why.  Specifically, we will be looking at the Source of it and how that affects our lives.

Click here to find the 1 John 1:6-7 Interactive Study Journal (2) on the Light.


For former studies...

Click here to find the 1 John 1:1-5 Interactive Study Journal (1) on John and his message.

1 John 1:1-5

1 John 1:1-5

An Interactive Study Journal

As you walk through this journal, my prayer is that you will fall more in love with our Creator and Sustainer God.I pray that your heart is stirred by the noble theme of His love.  I hope you find great delight in Scripture as it reveals Jesus and our eternal peace because of Him.

I'll be dividing each chapter of 1 John into four parts.  Each part will have five pages that help you focus on Scripture.  You'll see several ideas and even texts repeated throughout.  During this study, you will be asked to interact with Scripture in creative ways so that you can process through the verses.  This is not a contest for creativity,  but a way to help your mind see and understand what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do. You will have many opportunities to pour out your heart to Him. Be slow.  Be real.  Be prayerful. Use your own gifting and creativity to help you hide these Scriptures in your heart and pray through them.

It is taking words of the Scripture and pondering them in such a way that your thoughts and feelings converge on God.  I want your heart to be stirred and guided... rightly warmed and inclined toward prayer.          

 -Martin Luther in "A Simple Way to Pray"

DOWNLOAD a printable copy of the 1 John 1:1-5 Interactive Study Journal by clicking here.

Terms you will see:

Hand Lettering - Write it in a fancy to help you have time to think about it.

Create Motions - Make up your own sign language or actions to help you learn the scripture. For instance, if you have the word, "King", draw a crown representing putting a crown on your head. This visual and kinesthetic learning will help you memorize the verses.

Journal through Scripture - Write your thoughts and prayers around and within the text. Does something or someone come specifically to mind when you read a line? Write it there. 

Class Newsletter: July

School starts in a month and some days.  Here's our first class newsletter.  Of course, it's mostly about me since my class has yet to show up.  But they will be arriving shortly.

An Explanation Part 1: The Image of God

What is Classical Christian Education?  Well... I'm glad you asked.  But, be forewarned, it gets a little complicated. Because it is a movement which has grown organically, there are different branches to the root ideas.  The roots, in themselves aren't very complicated.  In its interpretation and actual daily layout, things get creatively differentiated.  The big thing to understand is it isn't a curriculum, but a way of choosing and using tools to equip someone to think well and love learning. 

Different experts, teachers, and authors each put emphasis on certain aspects.  I'm going to attempt to explain the foundations of Classical Christian Education that Classical Christian Educators agree on.  As I said before, the interpretations change within different schools of thought.  So, here is my personal take (in Italics) on my interpretation of that thought.  And, here's what that looks like in my classroom.

Classical Christian Education begins by seeing the child as an individual 

CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

God has created us to be learners.  He made the world and everything in it.  He has created ways for us to be in a relationship with Him.  He reveals Himself through the ways we are to love Him: heart, mind, soul, and strength.  He created us to be learners and has helped us by giving us the five senses, the Bible, wise men and women of old, the Fruit of the Spirit, and a curious mind.

The classroom should be fun!  I limit busy work and instead, ask students to engage their body and mind with whatever we are learning.  I want students to see something from several angles, which means I teach holistically.  When we talk about a number, like the number 8, we talk about "octo" in Latin.  Then, we look at octopuses, the clock, cents, Roman Numerals, the homophone, "ate".  We create it with clay and then our body.  We make stop signs and play running games with them. We do this all on the eighth day of school.  And, we might just listen to the Beatles sing and then discuss the idiom, "Eight Days a Week".

It sounds like a lot - but rather than a list, it's a calm conversation...It's what I call, spiraling! ... making connections with the student's wealth of knowledge already obtained and adding to it.


This is the first part of a five part series explaining Classical Christian Education.  To go to part two, click here.


Looking for more musings on Classical Education?  Click here.

An Explanation Part 2: Right Affections

In a Classical Christian Education, the desire is to set the 

affections of students on three things: 

TRUTH, BEAUTY, and GOODNESS.

God is Truth.  All truth brings Him glory.  We want to think well, to not be swayed away from truth by fads or emotions.  He is also Beautiful.  Everything that is of beauty reflects Him as the Beautiful Creator.  He is supremely Good.  Although we can never be perfectly Good, He has covered our failings through Jesus and helps us grow towards goodness as we mature in Him.

The classroom should be inspiring.  I want my kiddos to see the subject matters as alive and exciting.  I want to teach in a way that is full of joy and awe.  If I think an activity or content matter is boring, how will my students be drawn towards God's glory?  This means a lot of work for me as a teacher: in planning, in energy while I'm teaching, in figuring out the good stuff behind the multiplication facts.  The goal is not to avoid things that are tedious and not my favorite.  The goal is to find God's truth, beauty, and goodness even among the hard-to-understand ideas.  Honestly, we have to pray for it.  And talk about it.  Why is this math problem truthful, beautiful, and good?



This is the second part of a five part series explaining Classical Christian Education.  To go to part three, click here.

To return to the first part, click here.

Looking for other tidbits on classroom theory?  Click here.

An Explanation Part 3: The Trivium

Classical Christian Education practices The Trivium: 

GRAMMAR, LOGIC, and RHETORIC.

The Grammar years (the young ones) focus on laying a strong foundation on memory work as students learn course material.  This material is different depending on which branch of educators, curriculum publishers, and associations.  The Logic years (middle school age) twist and turn all that information they have memorized to piece it together.  The Rhetoric years (high school) focus on debate, writing, speaking, and presenting knowledge.

The classroom should be purposeful. I need to keep the big picture in mind.  Even though we will be doing a lot of memorization, it will be living memorization, in context of all the other things we are learning.  The goal of all this memorization is to be aware that things fit together and relate to other things - mathematics overlaps with music which overlaps with poetry, etc.  We memorize a lot of information, but in really fun ways: grammar rules, history timeline, the Bible timeline, Scripture verses, math facts, and more!  These are done at an easy pace with a lot of repetition... and hopefully allows students to have a framework of knowledge when they are ready to piece it all together.



This is the third part of a five part series explaining Classical Christian Education.  To go to part four, click here.

To start at the beginning, click here.

Looking for more information on Classical Christian Education?  Click here.

An Explanation Part 4: The Subjects

Classical Christian Education uses 

LATIN AND LANGUAGE LEARNING, the FOUR LIBERAL ARTS, 

and CLASSICAL LITERATURE,      

Learning Latin (as well as other languages), helps students process, analyze, and use their native language well.  It helps them think through the mechanics of what they actually want to say.  The Four Liberal Arts: MUSIC, MATH, SCIENCE, and GEOMETRY, look at how the world works.  Classical Literature allows students to grow in virtue, honor, and valor as they engage with ancient stories and great writing.

The classroom should be engaging. This sounds very overwhelming, doesn't it?  Especially for kindergarten.  But it's not! This all works together within the other Classical Education ideas and ideals.  The knowledge itself is important, yes - but it is a distant second from the learner, himself.  Who this child is becoming as he learns is of greater value than the information obtained.  That the child can ask the right questions, have the self-discipline to seek the answers, and be able to communicate his learning - that is what we're after!  So, we learn phonics, sight words, cursive, and how to diagram sentences.  We read and reread because we love reading, not because we're trying to earn points.  Our "exams" are observations throughout the continuum of learning rather than a high pressured moment.  We set high expectations for our students and watch as they raise their own bars.



This is the fourth part of a five part series explaining Classical Christian Education.  To go to part five, click here.

To start at the beginning, click here.

Looking for more musings on Classical Education?  Click here.

An Explanation Part 5: World View

Classical Christian Education teaches students to have a 

CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW.

A Classical Christian School should not be a bubble where there is no interaction with what the world says or does.  In fact, it should encourage students to evaluate what the world has to offer in light of the Gospel and the promise of Heaven.  The sparkling lies of the world should be met with the truly glorious delights of knowing and walking with God. 

The classroom should be centered in Jesus.  The greatest energy and celebration each day should revolve around learning what the Word of God teaches, and memorizing Scriptures.  As students memorize the timeline of the Bible, they are equipped to see how God has redeemed His people again and again. Through prayer, addressing sin, and encouraging "towards love and good deeds"*, the classroom is a place where students seek and find grace.  The gospel affects discipline, communication, steadfastness, and gentleness.  The students sift through ideas to see if they line up with God's ways and measure them up to what He has said in the Word. Every aspect needs to point to Christ.



*Hebrews 10:24


This is the last part of a series explaining Classical Christian Education.

To start at the beginning, click here.

Looking for more musings on Classical Education?  Click here.

And Once Again, A Friend

We are coming to our second anniversary of diving off of the sane and safe path of the suburbs and steady jobs.  We are coming to our second anniversary of trading busy lives for the stillness of a farm... one we are just borrowing, with land enough to share.  We now have calves outside our bedroom window. They too, are on loan.  We are entertained by them, but have no work to do to keep them alive.

Anniversaries are always sentimental times of recounting the losses, the gains.  It's the pondering-in-in-your-heart which makes you happy and sad at the same time.  Sad for your mistakes.  Sad for the things you've left behind.  Sad for the time you've wasted.  And happy, too.  Happy for how you've grown.  How you've grown up.  How you've grown together.

And then there are things that fit into both categories.  Food, for instance.  The Tex-Mex I crave sitting on the loss side.  The healthy eating I've gained.  Bluebonnets traded for peonies.

On the loss side, sits seven letters filled with a thousand memories.

f r i e n d s

Relationships turned long-distance never get easy.  They sit in the pit of your stomach years later.  And as they should. Yes, memories fade - and your Facebook feed gets filled with locals, but your love is still right there.  Right where you need it.  Right where it needs to be.

Each move I've made has brought it's own tears of loneliness, isolation, and the idea that friends will never be found.  But each time, God gifts me with one-at-a-time people who speak into my life. Lunches and laughter are consumed.  Coffee and confessions are poured out.  The stranger becomes my friend.

And I'm surprised, yet again.  Surprised that God could hand me the life of someone and let me walk beside her.

Today is the birthday of just such one.  One who spurs me on towards love and good deeds.  One who names my sin and calls me to repentance.  One who laughs with me like little school girls playing.

But, more than anything, this friend has a great freedom of today... living life to the fullest at the moment.  Loving hard.  Exploring hard.  Playing hard.  Not wasting a minute.

I've needed her to hold my hand as I seek Not My Will But Yours Be Done.  I've needed her wisdom and her wide-eyed wonder. I've needed her to address the hardness of my heart and speak Christ into it.  Why should I be surprised that God would provide exactly what I've needed.

It's another thing God didn't have to do.  It's another thing I do not deserve.  It's another thing of God's sweet kindness. It's another thing I need to hold loosely in my hands.

Someday one of us might move.  Our paths might go different ways.  But, forever I will guard her name with the title of friend.

My friend.

And I will thank God that on both sides of the lists - the losses and gains, sit the same seven letters.

f r i e n d s

An Ode to the Glue Bottle

I love glue sticks, don't get me wrong.  The convince they offer is a delight.  You will find them in my desk and in my classroom. However, you won't find them often in the hands of my kindergartners.

I know your eyebrows must be raised.  After all, aren't they perfect for little hands just figuring out how to make their ideas come to fruition with a pair of scissors and some glue?

Let me tell you why I vote for the old fashioned glue bottle.

Learning to use a glue bottle is just that - learning.  And isn't that what school is supposed to be about?  It takes a lot of coordination to get those small muscles in tiny hands to get drops of glue exactly where they should be.  The child uses the hand-eye team to be precise.  The nervous system is in high alert building levels of accuracy and control.

The mind is also working: Just enough - not too much.  We all know how disastrous it is to have wet pages sticking together because there was too much glue.  But a kindergartner has to experience it.  Let's not give easy tools so that he won't encounter those mistakes.  Let's teach him how to use complex tools diligently.

Don't forget about the heart when it comes to those bottles, either.  The heart of integrity and virtue carefully closes the lid for the next time.  The diligent heart doesn't skip that step, or she will find that when she tries to open it for the next masterpiece, the price will be great frustration.  What a good lesson in self-discipline to prevent heart-ache in the future.

So, glue bottles it is*.



*Under no circumstances will these glue bottles interact with glitter.  I don't care how many fine motor skills are developed.  That is, unless you are willing to come clean my classroom, car, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, washing-machine, and dryer - and send me to the spa for a weekend to recover.


For more thoughts about classroom stuff, look here...

Little by Little, to Catch the Rain

How do you catch the rain?

It is not a trick question.  It is not something only the wise know.  Even a child could tell you.  You catch the rain one drop at a time.

It comes as no surprise that this idea is often talked about in Classical Christian Education: a slowing down, a going deep, a stillness in the learning.

Three Latin phrases are often talked about when it comes to the pedagogy of a Classical Christian educator.  They flow into each other, swirling in on one another.

FESTINA LENTE
(make haste slowly)

MULTUM NON MULTA
(much not many)

REPETITO MATER MEMORIAE
(repetition is the mother of memory) 

Their combined ripple means that the classroom is a gentle place of learning.  Yes, learning is enjoyable and exciting.  But the pace is calm. Steady in it's rhythm.  Things are taught in a spiral.  Learn one thing well, learn it again, this time adding to it.  Continue to add to it again and again.  Simple addition, over years, grows into calculus.  But, first the child must understand that one and one always make two.  You have to know your facts - your foundations - before you build structures of glass and gold.

These ideas inspire a teacher to teach holistically.  Why not learn the Latin alongside the Science, twist in the art, the music, the literature.  Let it all make sense together - not as individual pieces that must be forced together.  There is logic to be found.  Let's make it easy to be discovered.

And once found, let's talk about it again and again with the natural ability to be one-track-minded that children often carry.  Let's retell it from a different angle.  Sing it again.  Read it again.  Act it out one more time.  Let's let the knowledge become part of the person.

My lesson plans are stretched out. Stories are read over-and-over.  Tell me: who are the characters, the setting, the plot.  Each day, a new question.  Math plans, too, cover multiple days. We will play with these ideas in our hands until something solid is formed in our brains.  Other aspects of the day tread slowly through the week. Some meander through two or three.  Each thing building on, adding to, what was learned before. And then there are the days of simply slowing down to take account of it all, reminding ourselves not to forget.

Let's not be sloppy with this learning thing.  Let's not learn so that we will quickly forget.  Let's slow it down and learn to keep.  We are catching the truth, so let's not rush it.


To read more about April's ideas on the classroom and Classical Christian Education, look here...