Homeschooling with a MISSION

Look at that face! What happened in school today? To be sure, there is certainly a surprise lurking around every corner in K4! But this lesson brought out many extreme feelings. Classtime began with two simple brown bags and something that was Mrs. Pintar’s favorite. Everyone was so excited as she described its appearance, its uses…right down to its origins in the land where Jesus walked when He lived on this earth. As many eager eyes watched, Mrs. Pintar slowly opened the bags and produced her surprise. She took a dramatic sniff and had all the children believing that her favorite would soon become their favorite. For many that would prove true, but for AbiNoelle….well, let’s just put it in her own words….

So onto the pinkie finger went the black olive. It was so fun to stand with her classmates holding a black olive on her pinkie finger, but then Mrs. Pintar said to taste it. In went the olive and out came the infamous picture. “I like it!” she grimaced as she tried to convince herself.

“Are you sure you like it?” I said with suppressed giggles. “I’m sure I DON’T LIKE IT!” The lesson on olives continued with the green ones and many other brave tasters, but AbiNoelle was only brave to the point of touching and licking, but consuming – I think not!

Along with olives, learning has continued with self-control, attentiveness, and our new character trait – diligence! Learning is powerful when everything builds upon and reinforces the lessons. Examining Joseph’s life in Bible led to applying his hard work ethic during coloring to develop diligent student habits. “God did his best when He made this beautiful world, so we should do our best when we color,” reminded Mrs. Pintar. Amber Lamb’s Story told by Mrs. Pintar strengthened our own home teaching that when Mommy calls, you must respond immediately. AbiNoelle loves these story times (Mommy loves them too, since it’s always helpful for children to hear the same Biblical truths from other good sources.) This week’s new Bible verse (Ps. 23:1) came with a sweet urging from Mrs. Wasser to follow our Shepherd Jesus. In a simple way, AbiNoelle’s teacher explained that she could walk with God everyday by obeying Him. Mrs. Wasser conveyed from her heart that she was praying for each of the boys and girls watching and the children in that class that they would one day give their heart to Jesus and decide to love Him and walk with Him everyday. We are so thankful for every clear and simple salvation message that AbiNoelle hears, and we pray much for the day when this truth will become personally real in her life. Academics flourished with the introduction of consonants and the careful, distant emphasis of each letter’s accurate sounds. B is not “bu” nor does T say “tu”. AbiNoelle is working hard to mimic Mrs. Pintar as she says each consonant sound.

Little jewels of learning shine throughout our day. After finishing a full day of learning, including AbiNoelle’s first evaluations, we hopped in the car for a fun afternoon together. I said, “Thank you, AbiNoelle, for working so hard today…now, we can have a fun afternoon.” Her prompt response was, “Mommy, do you know why I can learn so much in school?…..because I know the love of Jesus.” That pretty much sums it up for us! Why do we homeschool? Yes, for strong academics. Yes, for the privilege to teach our child. Yes, for positive, Biblical influences. Yes, to develop a love for learning. Yes, to fulfill our Christian duty to constantly teach and train. Yes! Yes! and Yes! But ultimately – WE HOMESCHOOL using A Beka DVD so that AbiNoelle will happily and appreciatively learn of the Love that Jesus has for her! What better reason is there to homeschool (and, we can always pray for a better outcome later in her educational adventures with the olives!)