With Easter a few days away homeschooling is usually a bit off schedule. When Bridget was small we suspended “regular” school the week before a holiday and did those things that related to the holiday, using living books, poems, and handwork to make the meaning of the day come alive.

One Easter we took a small bit of sheep fleece and teased it out to make a nest. Then we put the nest in a pretty wicker basket and added our colored eggs. Last, we listened to a story of Easter time. Charlotte Mason probably would have approved as she was very strong on observing holy days and taking great care with the spiritual life of children.

Miss Mason wrote that children have a deep spiritual “receptivity” and a need to be offered spiritual truths in a literary way, so as to show “due care”.

“The little ones read every day the events of Holy Week with me. Z. is inexpressibly interesting in his deep, reverent interest, almost excitement.” We are probably quite incapable of measuring the religious receptivity of children. Nevertheless, their fitness to apprehend the deep things of God is a fact with which we are called to ‘deal prudently,’ and to deal reverently. (Home Education, pp. 245-253)

To help make the holiday more meaningful, here is our Easter Holiday Helper– just for you.

http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com/pdf/HH-Easter.pdf

In a few hours I will be on an airplane over the Atlantic Ocean winging my way to Nigeria–thanks to many of you.

Let me explain….

Three weeks ago I offered anyone who would donate $25, $50 or $100 towards the establishment of the teacher training center a thank you gift of one or more of our premiere teaching guides. Many of you took me up on the offer and I am thrilled to say we exceeded our goal of $5050.

Living Books Curriculum (aka Worldwide Educational Resources) exists to provide curriculum not only for all you wonderful homeschooling moms and dads, but also for children in Africa who have not access to learning.

That’s right. The proceeds of LBC support our work in Nigeria and elsewhere. If you would like to learn more go to our sister site: www.educationinabox.com .

Check this blog from time to time and get an update on my trip.

Each summer between vegetable gardening and our annual Upper Peninsula trip, I have prayed this prayer: “Lord, show me the best way to meet my daughter’s needs and homeschool her in a way that honors You.”

Then, with my journal nearby I go about my work or play, pausing to write down what I sense He is saying. God has never failed to give me direction and the rights words to explain it to others.

Why is homeschool planning so important?
Charlotte Mason said in Home Education (p. 8), that a parent who does not follow a fully thought out plan of education will fail to fulfill the claims his children have upon him for growing to adulthood in full possesion of his abilities. Wow, this only underscores the need for careful planning. It’s not just about getting the right books and putting them in order. It is a heart process first.

Do you have questions about how to move forward in your homeschool? I encourage you to wait before the Lord and ask Him, “which way and how for my homeschool, Lord?”.

Read Jeremiah 6:16:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.”

The Scripture refers to “crossroads” and tells us we are to stand there. Crossroads are the points of decision in your life. Surely this time of year you have decisions? Stand in the midst of them. Make your crossroads as clear as possible, then ask for God’s best–the good way. When you see it, walk in it. You will find rest there and joyful learning.