Moms’ Time Notes - November 2, 2012

Unannouncements (things I meant to announce, but did not)

-In order for everyone to be able to participate in American Heritage Day, there will be no nursery care that day. Please keep your babies with you or arrange for grandma or a friend to watch your babies.    Schedules will be in your mailboxes on Friday.  Feel free to invite grandparents and friends . We will be done by 12:30. No uniforms needed on AHD.  There is no Grace Grille on AHD.

-Masters Kids moms: You do not need to sign out in the sign out book when you leave for a field trip.  Since you have a permanent contact mom, she will be responsible for your child.  Keep in touch with your contact mom, though, so she knows when you will return, and always keep your cell phone with you.

-Remember when your child misses a PSP, to email the teacher Monday morning to see what homework he has for the week.

Announcements—Christine R.

·         Remember AHD is now less than 2 weeks away.  Please make sure your children are preparing this week, as needed (especially government kids-have they started on their president presentations yet???) .   Also, don’t leave the costumes to the last minute (costumes are recommended, but not required). 

·         Change in Girls’Uniform rules:

o   Boys tuck their shirts in and wear a belt. (This has not changed.) Please help your young sons as they learn how to take care of their belts and tuck their shirts.

o   Girls’ dress code rule has CHANGED: shirts must be untucked.

o   Coordinators: Please be consistent in enforcing these rules. 

 

·         There is a new procedure for leaving early. If you leave with your child before his or her last class is over, please sign out in the moms’ book. Put your child’s name and “leaving early.”

Field Trip Announcements – Susan O.       

·          Upcoming Field Trips:

o   Peterson Automotive Museum and La Brea Tar Pits/Page Museum– Tuesday Nov 6 – you can still join the group for La Brea Tar Pits/Page Museum portion even if you have not signed up (see separate email from Susan)

o   Huntington Gardens – Thursday, Nov 29 – sign up by November 16

This field trip must have at least 18 students sign up.

The students will be dropped off for a tour of the American artworks.

o   Nutcracker Ballet in San Gabriel – Thurs, Dec 13 – sign up by Nov 16

o   Sacramento – SIGN UPS BY NOVEMBER 16

Discuss this with your husband soon and sign up at the table.

Susan will be getting the train tickets. You must call the hotel and reserve a room. If you are interested in sharing a room, please contact Susan to see if she can arrange that.

Train tickets are $32 per person. Without this program it would be $90/adult $45/child.

The train goes to Stockton and a bus takes us the rest of the way to Sacramento – there is no extra charge for this.

o   Contact Susan O. with any questions….

This is a great field trip to focus on California History and Government!

Next Week’s Guest Speaker Announcement – Brenda S.

·         Next week’s guest speaker is Laura Tagliere who will be speaking about Managing God’s Gifts. Laura is a mother who is also a professor at Master’s College. She has spoken women’s events to encourage us to strive manage our home in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

·         We would love for the new mom’s to be able to enjoy this so if there are some “veteran” moms could cover the nursery that would be great!

Free Family Photo Announcement – Diana O.

·         Diana is starting a photography business and is offering free family photographs on Saturday, November 17 9:00-12:30. Contact her to let her know you are interested. Visit her on Facebook to see the beautiful pictures she took of Irma M. and her family. (Okay, I am adding my own commentary – she didn’t say that last sentence!)

BIG Thanks to Lisa A. for a fun craft time!

(Thanks to Julie for taking notes for Sarah who was sick!)

Practical Tips for Homeschooling with Toddlers and Preschoolers - October 26, 2012

(Compiled from the Panel of Speakers)

1.       Have a daily homeschool schedule written down. Kids should have a copy in their binders.

2.       Try to be consistent but be ready to deal with the unexpected.

3.       Include the babies and toddlers in your schedule.

4.       Spend time with the babies in the morning.

5.       Have a spot for each child at the table where they sit daily.

6.       Plan a daily nap and/or quiet time.

7.       Have activities planned for the little ones and rotate their activities every 20-30 minutes.

8.       Have the older children take turns playing with the little ones.

9.       Train them to be content playing by themselves (put on music/book on CD).

10.   Have lap time where they sit on your lap and color while you are helping the other children.

11.   Reward the school age children when they complete school work and chores all day without complaining (tickets).

12.   Have the older children teach the younger children.

13.   Make it a point to organize yourself and your home (laundry/meals).

14.   Use an occasional DVD that will not distract the older children.

15.   Be ready to deal with and expect behavioral issues.

16.   Make sure the kids on not waiting for you to get started.

17.   Have Bible time with your children.

18.   Being disciplined helps a lot. Break things down into lists for the week.

19.   Do the most critical subjects during one on one time with your child when your baby or toddler is napping.

20.   For times when your toddler is awake, have special activities set aside that he gets to do only during school time.

21.   Be aware that there are helpful tools available like occasional videos and educational computer games.

22.   Pray for help, and ask for help.

23.   Scale back your expectations.

24.   If the day is going poorly, stop. Take time to pray and relax.

25.   Be aware of your own capabilities and your own family.

26.   Use a pack and play.

27.   Be ready with a box of toys that are only available for school time.

28.   Have “school work” ready for your preschooler.

29.   Train the little one to take longer periods of alone time. Use a timer.

30.   Give them sensory activities: lentil beans on a cookie sheet, colored sugar or flour in a zip lock bag, packing peanuts (they will stick together when moistened), magnetic letters in a tin, magazine pictures to cut out, construction paper and a hole punch to make designs.

31.   Have clean up times throughout the day (three times might be before lunch, before dinner, and before bed). Make it a fun activity that everyone participates in.

32.   Read to them.

33.   Take everyone outside.

34.   Rotate toys.

35.   Use music as a timer for the little ones (Example: when these songs are done, we will play with you).

36.   Put the little ones to work. Have the wipe things down with baby wipes and match socks.

37.   Have the little ones “paint” with water.

38.   Make your own lacing cards.

 

Moms’ Time Notes - October 26, 2012

Announcements—Christine R.

·        Next week will be a craft week with Lisa A.

·        There is a new procedure for leaving early. If you leave with your child before his or her last class is over, please sign out in the moms’ book. Put your child’s name and “leaving early.”

·        Next week, November 2, we will have the blessing barn.

·        You should be receiving progress reports for any paid classes that your child attends.

o   If you have a question, issue or concern about the grade your child currently has, please talk with Brian or Christine R. and not the teacher.

o    The grades you are receiving for the progress report are for information purposes only and are not recorded anywhere.

o   Remember much of what is learned in class involves learning responsibility and organizational skills

o   Keep track of how your child is doing each week. Go over with your child what he or she is doing in class.

·        Megan Brown will be showing another writing video next week at 9:30.  If your child is in a writing class, you need to be teaching him and working with him on writing throughout the week.  Writing is a core subject and needs to be worked on daily.

Kristen H. — Psalm 145           

·        We took a look at Psalm 145 using some of the principles of IEW.  We started with the phrase, “They said, ‘God is good.’”

·        We took our first banned word, “said,” and brainstormed some verbs in its place: exclaimed, uttered, declared, shouted, proclaimed, praised, remarked.

·        Next, we looked at the word, “good,” and brainstormed some of the other attributes of God: holy, gracious, sovereign, merciful, patient, powerful, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, awesome.

·        Finally, we brainstormed some –ly words. How did they say, “God is good,”? (loudly, passionately, thankfully, continuously, faithfully, humbly, whole heartedly)

·        Psalm 145:7, “They shall eagerly utter the memory of Thine abundant goodness, And shout joyfully of Thy righteousness.”  As you memorize verse seven, think about these descriptive words, “Thine abundant goodness,” and “Your righteousness.”

Susan O.—Choosing Gratitude, Chapter 2

·        Chapter two focused on the three “G’s”: guilt, grace, and gratitude.

The definition of gratitude from Webster’s 1812 dictionary is:
An emotion of the heart, excited by a favor or benefit received; a sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor; thankfulness. Gratitude is an agreeable emotion, consisting in or accompanied with good will to a benefactor, a disposition to make a suitable return of benefits or services, or when no return can be made, with a desire to see the benefactor prosperous and happy. Gratitude is a virtue of the highest excellence, as it implies a feeling and generous heart, and a proper sense of duty.

1.     We looked at guilt from the perspective, “saved from what?”.   If we look back at our lives before Christ, Colossians 1:13 tells us we were in the “domain of darkness.” Colossians 1:21 tells us we were alienated from God, hostile in our minds, and engaged in evil deeds. Colossian 2:12 describes us as dead in our sins. We were unwilling and unable to come to God.

2.     We looked at grace from the perspective, “saved by whom?” . He (Christ) took us out of the domain of darkness and presents us holy and blameless before God. He forgave us, took us, and cancelled our debt.  God did this. We must look at the subject.  Unless our thankfulness is directed to God, it is not true gratitude.

3.     Finally, we considered gratitude.  Some of the verbs in Psalm 145 are: extol, bless, praise, declare, speak, utter, and shout.   We can look at what the Lord has done. Psalm 145 talks about His mighty acts and wonderful works. He did these great acts for the Israelites, but what He has done for us is even greater. Preach the Gospel to yourself. Remember what God has done for you.

Moms’ Time Notes – October 19, 2012

Announcements: Susan O.

Legoland has been rescheduled for November 8. If you purchased tickets and will not be able to make the new date, please let Susan know. There is a waiting list for those who would like to go, and another PSP family may be able to purchase your tickets.

There was a flyer (3 pages) available with information regarding the Sacramento field trip. This flyer was also e-mailed to you.

o   The trip will be two nights; this was a result of the survey. 

o   The dates are February 25-27. You have until November 16, to sign up.

o   Round trip train tickets are $32. This is the special price for the Kids and Trains program. Children under the age of three will need a ticket at the regular price.  If you have a child under three, you will need to purchase one adult ticket at the regular price since the child cannot travel alone.

o   Susan will reserve a block of rooms at the Vagabond. However, you will need to call the Vagabond and reserve a room on your credit card. The price for a room is $80 per night. This includes two queen beds. Children may stay for free with the existing bedding, so you can bring sleeping bags.

o   Please refer to the field trip flyer for the itinerary/schedule for the field trip.

o   This is a walking field trip so you will need comfortable shoes.

o   See page one of the flyer which outlines exactly what you need to do for the Sacramento trip.

o   Page two of the flyer includes additional information regarding lodging, Amtrak, and points of interest in Sacramento.

o   Page three has choices to consider for your free time and for your meals.

General Announcements-Christine R.

Next week is make-up picture day. It will start at 8:15, and the photographer will only be here for about an hour. Get here early and go to room 135.

If you have not completed a Heritage Page, please do so and return to Christine R's mailbox.

Prayer sheets were in your mailboxes. They should be filled out and brought back next week (October 26). Also, bring back your prayer partner’s sheet from last month and return it to them.  Let them know you were praying for them. 

Keep thinking about and planning for American Heritage Day. It will be here soon.

When you bring dishes for the hospitality table, remember to pick them up at the end of PSP.

Panel—Homeschooling with Toddlers

We all feel the pressure of getting everything done and not ignoring are little ones.

o   There is no perfect day (Proverbs 16:19) .Be thankful you have the privilege to homeschool. Take the time to enjoy it. It will go by quickly!  There is no ideal/perfect homeschool mom. We all struggle, but God put your children in your family for a reason.

o   Make quiet time a priority. Your days will go better, and you will be more patient.  Two important things children need to learn are to love learning and to be independent. One way to achieve this is with the work box system created by Sue Patrick. If you have questions, regarding this system, you could ask Char M. (see separate attachment for more tips)

We were reminded during the discussion that as part of PSP we are required to be members of Homeschool Legal Defense. If you are not a member, you can visit the website HSLDA.org. Our group code is 296203.

o   Please refer to the document on practical tips for homeschooling with toddlers. You may want to print it out and refer to it for ideas.