Volume 3 - Edition 4 - December 2006
Writing 101
by Sarah Bennett
Writing is one of the hardest subjects that homeschooling parents deal with. Some may try to argue that math is more difficult, but most of us have no problem with making math a daily priority. We find a curriculum that we think will work for our children and we have our children sit down each and every day to work on it. If they need help we’re there to help them, if they have trouble with their multiplication facts we practice with them.
Writing is a different animal. How do we even know what progress in writing looks like? With math it’s easy. Jane is halfway through her grade 4 math book therefore she has progressed half a grade. We always know where we’re at with math and I think that’s why it’s easy to continue moving forward. It’s also easy to pinpoint where a child needs more help. Maybe they’re just not getting fractions so we stop and work on that for a while. Writing is more subjective. There is no clear-cut measure of progress with writing.
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Why Memorize?
by Gwen Koop
It’s God’s idea in the first place.
- First and foremost, He wants us to know Him and how can we without the knowledge of His word? In Colossians 3:16, Paul encourages us to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” We do not memorize only to please God, but to know God.
- How can the Holy Spirit guide us as we face life’s decisions without the tool of God’s Word imbedded on our hearts?
- Have you ever read all 176 verses in Psalms 119? This psalm conveys the idea that the Word of God contains everything we need to know. When we hide God’s word in our hearts we can stand against the temptations of sin (Psalm 119:11).
- Psalm 1 encourages us to delight in God’s Word. How can we meditate on God’s Word day and night if we don’t have any of His Word to meditate upon? Think about the tree firmly planted by the river, yielding its fruit in season. What a wonderful picture of the Christian who is nourished in God’s Word resulting in fruitful labor for the Glory of God.
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Christmas: a Time for Disillusions
by Chris McGrath
“Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.”
This Hymn, written by Charles Wesley in 1746, is probably one of my all time favourite Christmas songs. It’s reflective of Jesus’ first Sermon found in Luke 4:18-19. For Christian families, Christmas is a time of celebration of the Saviour’s birth, a coming together of families and friends. Often a joyous time for many reasons, but then why do I suggest it is a time for Disillusions? For that, we will look at how the word itself is defined. But first, consider how we commonly use the term – one that often refers to disappointment due to failed expectations; and indeed, the season is one of disillusion for many, though for the wrong reasons. During this time of year, in fact, it is well known that suicide rates skyrocket. But that is not the topic here. What I’m going to suggest is that Jesus came to earth to disillusion us from what has always failed us and ever will. This disillusion is a good and loving kind.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
by Janet Rainbow
I would like to join with all of the staff at Heritage Christian Online School wishing our parents and students a very wonderful and blessed Christmas. I pray that we will all come back in the New Year relaxed and praising God for his many blessings. I would like to encourage each person to take time to smell the roses (or the pine tree, the fresh air, fresh baking or whatever pleasant smell makes you smile), and spend time drawing near to God. May this truly be the most wonderful time of the year, not because we got the present we wanted or our plans went perfect and we didn’t gain weight, but that we could see God working in our lives.
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The 14 Days of Homeschool
by – a homeschooling mom and her kids
Sung to the tune of The 12 days of Christmas.
On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"
On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them Tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"
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Our Christmas thoughts....
by Ted Gerk
2006 is closing and a new year approaches. Meanwhile, all of us prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. 2006 has been a year of great changes and great opportunities! On behalf of all the staff at HCOS I want to extend to each of our students and their parents a Blessed Christmas. May this season be one of happiness, health and much wisdom!! Thank you for your patience with our staff and teachers, and thank you espcially for your committment to excellence!!!
“Let us keep Christmas beautiful Without a thought of greed, That it might live forevermore To fill our every need, That it shall not be just a day, But last a lifetime through, The miracle of Christmastime That brings God close to you” (Ann Schultz)
HCOS Presents the 2006-2007
All of us have memories! Think back to your childhood – what comes to mind? What were some of the ‘gifts’ that your parents blessed you with? There were probably gifts that you opened for your birthday or Christmas, gifts you received when a parent came home from a long trip and other special occasions. These were given and received with excitement, love and enthusiasm. Your parents undoubtedly put thought and time into getting you ‘just’ the right item. Time, money and love were invested. Now reflect: how many of these treasures do you still have today? Probably not many! Think of ‘gifts’ that your parents gave you that have lasted – gifts of love, of time spent together, gifts of learning to see from an eternal perspective, not only here and now, a gift of the Word, gifts of a Godly example, gifts of cheerful service…… I am sure that each of us want to give our children ‘gifts’ that will last, gifts that will impact them for eternity.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children (after introducing them to Jesus) is the gift of a love of the Word and of them memorizing scripture. As one wise person said – there are 2 things that last for eternity – people and the Word of God. Investments into each of these areas are worthwhile because they will last. Scripture that children learn well will stick with them for their whole lives. What a tool we have at our fingertips!
Your attitude about memorization is contagious - be enthused about committing God’s Word to memory and your children will pick up your enthusiasm! Think of it as a chore, and that will be subtly passed on as well! Add variety to your memorizing with changes – say one verse in a squeaky voice, the next with an accent, the next in a vibrato voice. (Be creative, and let your children be creative!) Start verse 6 with a loud, confident voice (For I am confident of this very thing…..) Add in actions to aid memorization. For example Philippians 1:9, ‘And this I pray’ (fold hands and bend head); ‘that your love’ (cross your arms in a hug); ‘may abound still more and more’ (spread arms wide); ‘in real knowledge’ (point to your head and look VERY knowledgeable); ‘and all discernment’ (place index finger on chin and look very thoughtful). The actions will aid in memory as well as are non-verbal prompts. Try being dramatic in the way a verse is said as you start to memorize it. This makes it fun, and more memorable. Verses 12 – 18 lend themselves well to this.
To date we have 80 students and 20 adults who have joined the Philippians Challenge and verses are being conquered! If you are one of the memorizers, congratulations – keep up the good work! It is not too late to join the Challenge – join now, and start memorizing! Let your teacher know what your plans are so you can be on the Master List. If you memorize 35 verses this year, you are in the 1 verse/week category, 70 verses = 2 verses/week, 105 verses = 3 verses/week (the book of Philippians) and 140 verses = 4 verses per week. Your time invested in memorizing is eternity time!
As written in the September newsletter, everyone will receive a certificate for their achievement and there will be a draw for a prize in each category. We would LOVE to be able to give a prize to each person who succeeds in the Philippians Challenge. One way to be able to do this is if people or businesses were to donate money to the Philippians Challenge. If the donation cheque is made payable to HCOS, the individual will receive a tax receipt. Please include a note to say that the money is to be used for the Philippians Challenge. Our superintendent said that if donations are given, HCOS will match any gift for this event up to $500. Could you be part of this ministry in motivating families to memorize God’s Word? The benefits are for a lifetime!
Fund raiser for the Philippians Challenge !
Encourage children in their memorization! Businesses and individuals are invited to donate money to go towards prize incentives for Phil Challenge members.
All donations up to $500 will be matched by HCOS!
Make cheque out to HCOS, and designate it to the Phil Challenge to receive a tax receipt.
Join the 
now!
