March 16th CHEG - Final Meeting Summary

Our LAST MEETING of the 2009-2010 School Year
"COMMON EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES AND MATERIALS FOR HOMESCHOOLING"



ANNOUNCEMENTS from March 16th CHEG meeting:
Did your child get good grades this year? The following businesses want to reward them (and you!)

Shelly Sigafoos announced that a number of businesses have "Incentive" programs for children who achieved good grades on their report card (usually A's).
They generally accept home-produced homeschool report cards (check Google search for a format you like, or ask Shelly for how she produces hers). Take your child(ren) to these stores and get your free or discounted products! To learn what each store offers, check out the website for each individual store, or talk to your local store manager. Here are some good ones in our area: Graeter's, Chuck E Cheese's, Krispy Kreme, Family Video.
If you have a favorite restaurant where your kids love to eat, it might not hurt to ask if they offer any 'Good Student' rewards!

DEVOTIONAL: Linda Thiel

At the 3/16 meeting, we heard an edifying testimony of God's faithfulness from Linda Thiel. She shared how God has blessed her in helping her to see how her attitude needs to be kept in check on good days, but even more on the 'not-so-easy' school days by remembering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and its application to her schoolday. Linda reminded us all that when our focus is properly on the Gospel, we will recognize ourselves and our kids as sinners in need of a Savior. We must ask Christ to help us, for we are utterly dependent upon Him for the grace to love our children and nurture them as individuals. We need to remember that we truly cannnot homeschool or train-up our children successfully without God's help in everything.

Thanks so much, Linda, for your transparency and this much-needed reminder that we can only educate our kids well, or be the kinds of wives and mothers who please the Lord unless we do it by remembering the glorious Gospel, and homeschool for God's glory!

TOPIC TIME: Crystal Syring and Kathy Bloom

Our topic for this meeting was a summary of some common educational approaches and curriculum used by home educators. Included were: Traditional, Classical, Charlotte Mason, Eclectic, Literature Based, and Unschooling. Handouts with an abbreviated version of this information were distributed to all CHEG attenders. Anyone desiring a more detailed information, including weblinks and some fact-lists, please contact Kathy Bloom at futureandahope84@gmail.com. The document will be sent to you in electronic form unless you specify otherwise that you need a paper-copy.

CURRICULUM DISPLAY:

Curriculum was brought in for display by a number of our Clifton home educators, representing almost all of the above educational approaches. THANKS to all who took the time to box-up materials to share with other parents. We had time to peruse the books and supplies, and to ask one another questions.

SHOUT OUTS!!!
Every meeting this year, our CHEG attenders could be seen milling around with treats and drinks provided by Denise Swicegood and her "aides"! Here's a HUGE SHOUT OUT to Denise, for making sure we had goodies at every meeting! HOO-RAY, Denise!

Thanks also go to our sweet junior high girls who cheerfully served every meeting watching the little ones in the nursery, so the moms could learn and encourage one another! WE LOVE YOU, GIRLS!

Our gratitude also to Lauren Ward (and other moms throughout the school year) for serving our littlest children during CHEG meetings - checking-in and supervising the nursery for us,and making sure it got cleaned up afterwards! Bless you, Lauren!

[I was reminded how important this ministry is childcare was when a mom recently told me, "I can only come to meetings when there's someone there to watch the kids - otherwise I'd have to stay home." THANK YOU!]

Finally, a huge word of gratitude for the ideas and motivation provided on the Steering Team this year by Shelly Sigafoos and Margaret Sexton! They have encouraged me, prayed for CHEG members and our meetings, remembered when meetings were approaching (and tactfully reminded forgetful-me!), faithfully written-up and sent off announcements to the Bulletin and Messenger, and have supported this ministry in many, many ways! May God grant you both grace and blessing for these acts of love and service, ladies!

Have a wonderful remainder of the school year, and a fun (and educational) summer!

~Kathy

We Need YOU!

YOU ARE NEEDED! CAN YOU HELP WITH THESE CHEG ACTIVITIES?

FEB 27-8 OR MAR 6-7 - Sugarbush Maple Sugar Festival, Salem, IN
One or two parents needed to be the contact person for this event - simply gathering names of other CHEG members who hope to attend, and plan to meet out there for a fellowship time, or to see the demonstrations together?


MAR 16 - NEXT CHEG MEETING
Curriculum Display - we need parents to offer their curriculum items for display, and a willingness to answer individual questions about their books at the tables.
No public speaking involved!

Apr 8-10 OHIO Homeschool Conference - Cincinnati, OH
One-two parents needed to take names of those parents interested in attending this conference. Arrange carpool/rides/hotel.

Apr 24 - Spring Saturday Showcase
Gretchen Wright is the contact person for this event, but she needs the names of your children who are interested in participating with their music, art, speech, poetry, lego-creations, science displays, etc...
She'd probably love an "assistant" to help with set-up/tear-down as well!
(Great opportunity for an older student!)

1/19/10 - Adult Homeschoolers Panel

Huge thanks go to the five adults from Clifton were spoke on our Adult Homeschoolers Panel on Tues, 1/19/10:

Melissa Munger, Jeremy Pellum, Elise McIntosh, Beth Bloom, and Mara Tucker!

We asked them many questions about their years as students under the training of their parents, and found they had quite a variety of educational experiences.

It was clear that different curriculum choices are needed to meet the individual needs of each unique student. Some of the panelists loved a particular math curriculum, while others disliked it. Panelist's parents had also chosen to enrich their children's educations in a variety of ways: cottage schools, public school in the later years of high school, sports programs, 4-H, music lessons, speech and debate club, dance competition, college and online coursework, etc.

All five panelists agreed on the benefits of homeschooling as it provided opportunities for spiritual growth and family closeness. All agreed that some time spent with non-homeschooled peers, especially in the high school years, was very important to prepare them for a college setting and adulthood. One panelist pointed out that one significant advantage to homeschooling is that children learn to relate comfortably with adults in conversations without awkwardness.

Our panelists were asked questions by the audience regarding: discipline in the home, managing daily schoolwork and responsibilities in the home, dad's involvement in their homeschool, and how their mothers multi-tasked as they were growing up. One panelist even called her mother "Superwoman!" :)

Again, our WARMEST thanks to our five panelists for their willingness to share their real-life stories and experiences with us! We hope our kids all grow up to be just like YOU!

The devotion-time and panel discussion were both audio-taped for those who could not attend. To obtain a copy of these, please contact Kathy at (812-944-2210).

CHEG Steering Team

Report: First CHEG meeting of the Year - 8/25/09

The Clifton Homeschool Encouragement Group met for their first official meeting of the school year on 8/25/09 in the Clifton Baptist Library.

The meeting began with announcements by new CHEG coordinator, Kathy Bloom.
Gretchen Wright, mom of 5 boys, shared devotions from Psalm 33. This Psalm is a great song of praise to God by King David in which he acknowledges that those who trust in Yahweh have a new song of praise because of GRACE! We too have access to grace and the Father who loves us - He has made a way for us to be right with God.
He has come near to us in Christ. Verses 4-5 say His Word is upright, His work is faithful, and He continually shows us His steadfast love.

As we consider our BIG God, Gretchen said that "His bigness puts our little problems in proper perspective." How true. Though our plans are weak, his plans never fail.

She shared how, from verses 13-15, this mighty, enthroned God looks down from heaven onto Earth, and he observes the deeds of us, whom HE fashioned. Nothing is hidden from Him. From a practical perspective, if we are trusting in earthly things, we must learn that His will always prevails. We must not trust in resources like aptitude, curriculum, or our homeschooling experience, but in Christ alone.

As an exercise, Gretchen asked everyone to pray for one thing on a card for another person near us in the room that evening - something that seemed 'impossible' to us at the moment. What a blessing to share these burdens with one another and with the Lord with Whom NOTHING is impossible.

Thank you, Gretchen for these good reminders of God's love and might, and care of us.

Our special presentation for the night was Panel Discussion by five veteran homeschooling moms from Clifton: Shelly Sigafoos, Michele Murray, Ana Kotter, Coco Briggs, and Beth Schakat. Between them, this group of moms have 22 children! They shared a wealth of knowledge, and experience, and encouragement! Questions for the Panel were written by Margaret Sexton, and she graciously moderated our panel discussion.

Topics discussed included:
- Differences in teaching boys versus girls - learning styles, tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of each gender, most helpful types of discipline and structure
- Teaching children of multiple ages - what subjects taught together/separately, keeping little ones content, incorporating older kids as 'teachers' of youngers.
- Preparing/organizing your school day - before the year starts, record-keeping, grading and attendance, maximizing naptimes, 'prime' teaching hours, etc.
- Managing household and homeschool tasks - chores, teaching children responsibility, 'tricks' to keep things tidy, staying focused while staying flexible
- Various: Realistic homecare-expectations, finding ways to make things work, having a school room versus meeting at the dining room table
- What's REALLY important?

In case you had to miss the panel discussion, notes from the group's discussion can be obtained from Kathy Bloom, email: futureandahope@insightbb.com.

2009-2010 CHEG CALENDAR

July 2009

28 - Reading Workshop - Crystal Syring

Aug

25 - First CHEG meeting of the year - Panel: Five Veteran Homeschool Moms

Oct

Field Trip - Date TBA (possibly 10/10/09)

20 - CHEG Meeting - 7 PM Teaching Science and Math (speaker TBA)
Nov



Fall Saturday Showcase at Clifton - Contact: Gretchen Wright 502.266.5958

Dec

13 - Family Christmas Party after Sunday church services

Jan 2010

19 - CHEG MEETING - 7 PM Panel: Clifton Adults Who were Home Educated

Feb

27-28 - Salem Sugarbush Festival - possible field trip (organizer needed)

Mar

6-7 - Salem Sugarbush Festival - possible field trip (organizer needed)

16 - CHEG MEETING - 7 PM Curriculum Display and Discussion

Apr
8 - Homeschool Days at Conner Prairie - possible field trip (Contact: Tama Gray at tamag97@sbcglobal.net)

8-10 OHIO Homeschool Conference - Cincinnati, OH

24 - Spring Saturday Showcase

Clifton Baptist Hosts Homeschool Graduation

Class of 2009 (l-r)
Sidra Zimmerman, Ashley Langen, Kristin Broaddus, Elizabeth Bloom

On May 23, 2009, four Kentuckiana homeschooled students held their 2009 high school graduation ceremony at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville. All four of the students came from families associated with the Heart 'n Homeschool support group in New Albany, IN, and one of the graduates, Elizabeth Jane Bloom, is a member at Clifton.

About 150 people attended the graduation, which included music selections by Andrew Case, a Clifton member, a charge to the graduates by Pastor Tom Schreiner, and a musical Powerpoint presentation created by Beth Bloom. In addition, the graduates' parents each spoke to their daughters as they thanked the many family and friends who had a positive influence on their child. Graduates received their diplomas, and in turn, expressed their gratitude with red roses to parents and special persons in the audience.

Guests were invited to a reception in the Clifton Fellowship Hall after the graduation, where display boards by each graduate were available for viewing.

Special thanks to the many who helped with decorating, lending needed items, serving food, running the soundboard and video camera, helping with set-up/clean-up, and helping make it a beautiful day celebrating God's goodness to the four graduates.

Spring Saturday Showcase on Apr 25th

Spring Saturday Showcase on Apr 25th

God's grace was very apparent in the lives of 17 Clifton kids on Saturday, April 25, as they participated in the Spring Saturday Showcase!

Here's some of what they did:

- Told narrative stories
- Performed "The Gospel Song" on cornet

- Gave speeches on ---
* Idioms and the Cincinnati Reds
* Recitations of Scripture and Catechism Questions
* Skateboarding and its Value as a Tool for Evangelism
* The Pledge of Allegiance, Pride or Oppression?
* Used Visual aides for several Expository speeches
* The Battle of Perryville, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
* "Pippi Longstocking", "Willy Wonka", and "Yellow and Pink" - literature interps
In the last half of the program, six students from the Apologetics class honored the Lord by demonstrating their understanding of theological topics, including:
"What is the Essential Duty of Man?"
"God's Sovereignty"
"Jesus' Belief in Scriptural Authority"
"Was Jesus Just a Good Man or Teacher, but not the Son of God?"
"God's Revelation of Himself to Man"

Finally...
Big thank-you's go to:
Mrs. Gretchen Wright for organizing this event and being our m.c.
Parents, for your loving perseverance - encouraging your students' in learning a diversity of subjects!
The parents and teachers also want to express our heartfelt appreciation
For the STUDENTS who worked SO hard this past year learning to communicate valuable information to others! Grace and Truth Speech Club kids (GATSC) have been busy for months writing, editing, studying characters, tweaking, developing physicality and visual aides, receiving critique from parents and peers, and finally, dealing with their nervousness about public speaking at the Showcase! All of this took ongoing effort and prayer, and we have learned together what God graciously will do to strengthen you in your diligent pursuit of sharing HIS truth!
We pray each Clifton home-educating family will continue to grow in faith, and develop YOUR communications skills to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!
We hope that if you are a visiting Clifton homeschooler to our Learning for Him blog, YOU will consider joining us next year in GATSC!

NOTE: If your child's photo is missing in the photo-posts below, it is because the photographer missed them while holding babies! OOPS!
If you have a photo to send the blog writer she would LOVE to include them! :)