I have just discovered a wonderful new website www.storyformed.com by Sarah Clarkson, daughter of Clay & Sally Clarkson who have been such an encouragement and inspiration to me on my homeschooling journey, especially through their book "Educating the WholeHearted Child".

On her website Sarah shares the wealth of experience she has had growing up in a Christ honouring home where great books were available, read aloud and even acted out regularly.

Check out her website for pictures and descriptions of lots of great storybooks. She has done all the hard work of finding them for us. And with the launch of her second book "Caught Up in a Story" there are lots of giveaways to win. Thanks Sarah!

Does My Use of Facebook Bring Discontentment?

I'm pretty sure my discontentment comes from exposure to other people's pictures on Facebook (eg; kids posing with ribbons on sportsday, kids dressed in costumes holding trophies, kids dressed in football gear holding trophies, etc). Facebook is a place where people often publish the good things that happen to them, or complain when they are unhappy. The complainers don't usually post photos of the good things in life & the positive people often choose not to post the hardships of their lives. So we can be left with a feeling of discontent - that we are missing out on the good things in life by living in a small remote town with not as many opportunities. We have chosen to home educate our children because we want to give them a biblical worldview. We are living in a remote town because we have chosen to serve God in this place. Sometimes (ok often!) I find this hard when I see all the benefits my friends' kids are getting in other places.
So why keep feeding myself with Facebook? I like to see what's going on in the world & in my friends' lives; to keep the connection. I like the tips on homeschooling and links to helpful resources and articles. I also use Facebook to keep in touch with my distant family and as part of my ministry I manage a couple of outreach pages. But I have been trying to be more deliberate about reading and doing other things instead of filling in each spare minute of my day with Facebook. I have realised that my time management hasn't been all that good. Perhaps even instead of praying or reading Scripture when I am stressed or down, I have been turning to Facebook (or Pinterest) for comfort. Not good! Perhaps even idolatry.
There is the danger that we fill our minds with so many trivial thoughts that we aren't leaving space for orderliness & peace of mind which produces productivity and creativity. (A great book on this subject is Ordering Your Private World by Gordon Macdonald.)
Instead of discontent, I should be so full of the awareness of the many continual blessings I am being given that I am overflowing with praise & thankfulness to God.
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23

Fibonacci: The man who discovered God's fingerprint

There is so much to learn about when you start talking about what Fibonacci discovered. We have started with the book, "Blockhead - the life of Fibonacci". For an introduction, watch the book trailer below.

For a mind blowing view of God's design in nature, watch the following short film.

We made a maths game based on a spiral.

We made a grid, then, beginning in the centre, wrote numbers from 1 - 100 in a spiral pattern.

Then, using two dice & some markers, each player took turns to throw a number and race each other to the end.

Spiral in the unfurling frond of a fern.

A Taste of Home Education

Educating one's children at home is a challenging but rewarding experience. It develops close family bonds and opportunities to spend extra time teaching them the values that are precious to you.

Following are some snapshots of some of the teachable moments we have had this year. (Our children do see other children and adults, but because of privacy issues I could not include photos of them.)

Reading with older siblings.

Learning about how toasters work with Dad.

Piano practice.

Kimberley Air Service (KAS) open day.

Checking out the new air ambulance.

Checking out the rotor.

Maths & computer.

Book work.

Under the table.

Goliath stick insect.

Learning the drums.

Watching our house being built.

Visiting a friend's farm.

A week at One Arm Point school in July.

Craft - Candle Lamps made from pop sticks & baking paper.

Strategy game with big brother.

Frill-neck lizard.
The frill-necked lizard, also known as the frilled lizard or frilled dragon, is found mainly in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. This species is the only member of the genus Chlamydosaurus. Wikipedia

Experiencing God's creatures.

Basketball.

Cooking.

Reading the Bible together.

Maths

Decorating paper for Christmas with Potato stamps.

Sewing a Library Bag

Practicing with paper.

Pinning & ironing.

Threading through the cord (we used plaited wool attached to a safety pin).

Finished products.

Giant Stick Insect

These amazing stick insects are found in Northern Australia. I think from searching the internet, this is a Goliath Stick Insect. Please correct me if I'm wrong.