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Everest Academy is a ministry of Everest Family Church in Hayden. We offer freedom along with quality resources, information, activities and support to those homeschooling in Alabama. We believe that the parent has the best interests of their children at heart. We believe that the parent is the first and only teacher that a child needs. In keeping with this philosophy, we wish to be a very hands-off church "cover" school and allow the parent to lead and guide their children in the direction and at the pace they feel is best suited to their children. We ask only for what the law requires while offering support along with quality resources to aid families in their efforts.

Activity Participation

Hey Homeschoolers! 

I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

Question: What kind of activities do your children participate in outside of the home? Examples would include: church groups, choir, athletics, music lessons, co-ops, teen groups, etc...

My Answer: My response from a few years ago: We have slowed way down this year, and I am so glad! We had gotten to the point where we were on the go all the time. When my kids say they don't want to participate in something now, I am good with that. This year we are participating in church activities, Yoshukai two nights a week, Martin Hames mentoring program for Dae once a month, Fresh Air Family outings once a month, American Girl Club once a month for Dae, Teen Scene usually twice a month for Dalton, Art Appreciation Club once a month, park days twice a month, and usually a field trip or so a month. This month we will be participating in the swim sessions on Wednesdays at Jasper Natatorium. Both of the kids opted out of art classes, swim team, and McWane classes this year which opened up a lot of our time. It usually averages out that we have something going on about twice a week (not counting church and karate) and is a good break to get out of the house and a break in routine.

One piece of advice I would definitely give to new homeschoolers is to not over schedule yourself. It can definitely not only burn you out but also your children. It can become very overwhelming and more of a chore than a delight. It took me a long time to decipher what was important and not important and when to say "no".

Answers:
My sons regularly attend Culture Kids at the library. We try to make the monthly Skate day and GRACE Meetings. My middle sons plays baseball and soccer. My oldest sons plays piano and basketball. They both attend AWANAs at church at love it. We enjoy outdoor activities and camping.


I've never thought it was a good idea to over-schedule children. So we've always tried to maintain a balance of school and activities that allows for a lot of free time. I think that two regularly or frequently scheduled activities is the limit for our family. Right now Bree only has one frequently schedule activity, figure skating.  We do take part in some of the TeenScene activities and we are involved in a Shakespeare class at the moment - but figure skating is Bree's current passion. Getting to and from the rink, lessons and practice sessions take up 3 - 4 days a week right now so there's not really room for another activity. Which is fine for now.


My daughter participates in Upward Sports at Church, and we are just now trying to go to a few things that we see posted on different homeschool group sites. This is our first year and it has been very hard.


My girls both have piano lessons once a week and YMCA homeschool P.E. twice a week. Grace has archery lessons every Saturday morning and Katie will likely start violin lessons at the end of summer. We also participate in the Outdoor Adventure Group once a month, Grace is in an American Girl Club that meets once a month, we do at least one activity with TeenScene each month, and usually one or more planned field trips.  We keep an eye out for activities, lectures, exhibits, etc. at our library, art museum, botanical gardens and Sci-Quest and typically do one or two a month. This year and through spring of 2010, we're making an effort to see much more of Alabama as we study our state.  After our first few years of homeschooling, we learned to keep more days open to spend at home or we just get burned out. This year, keeping Monday and Wednesday freed of commitments has worked well. If there is a field trip on a Mon. or Wed., we just keep another day free that week.


Mostly we just plan playdates/fieldtrips with other HS'ing families! I do plan to start my 3yo DD in Gymnastics and my 6yo DS in TKD soon.  He has done soccer, basketball, tee ball, gymnastics and choir previously.


Every morning we walk, workout or do yoga. Tuesday nights we sometimes do yoga at Graysville Library, Wednesdays we have guitar lessons, run some errands, have nature study at the Botanical Gardens with some friends from church, and have Bible Study that night, Tuesdays and Thursdays, we watch a video lecture with our cousin and aunt(or sometimes art lessons), Fridays and Saturdays could bring field trips, movies, weiner roasts, birthdays, dinners out, church meetings, weddings, concerts, shopping trips, mini vacations, yard work, etc. Sunday is church--we have morning and afternoon service with lunch in between; we have Grandmother with us,see family and friends and we usually get home around 3:30 or 4:00, pleasantly exhausted. Most days, there's Facebook friendships going on as well.


I made the decision a long time ago to just let my daughter be a little girl, without having too many demands on her time and energy.  I want her to develop her imagination and have plenty of free time to pursue whatever she wants to do (there's that unschooling creeping in!!:-). I want her to spend time hanging upside down from trees, lying in the grass watching cloud pictures go by, and having long conversations with her cat. (The dog is not a good listener! :-) I don't want her having any "performance pressures" unless she chooses to have them. I want her to be able to entertain herself, and enjoy her own company, and not be dependent on any one else for anything. If and when she expresses an interest in more organized activities, we will decide what is right for us.  One of the main reasons I chose to homeschool many, many years ago was to allow my child to become the very best person he/she can be, without outside pressure or influence. I know that lessons and activities can be beneficial, and I am NOT saying children shouldn't be involved in them, nor am I "putting anyone down" for enrolling their children. Please don't send hate-mails!!  What I am saying is that I know way too many parents who have their children involved in things that they (the parent) want them to do, or because "everybody else" is doing it. When I hear that "everybody else" is doing it, that is pretty much a guarantee that I don't want any part of it!! If a child is taking part in outside activities, it should be because they WANT to be, because it is their PASSION (at least for this week :-) and not because they feel they must. I'm sure that many of you on this site follow your children's lead when it comes to "joining up", but I have definitely known homeschoolers who forced their children to take part in sports or other activities when they truly didn't want to. Kids need to be kids. There will be plenty of time for forced activities when they grow up!


Really, the only regularly-scheduled activity we have participated in this year was the homeschool science class program at the B'ham Zoo. The boys' enthusiasm would come and go, but they never complained once they got to class....it's the typical getting ready and getting there issue that was always a problem! :-/  We started out the year doing a pottery class, but by 1/2 way through the year, the boys seemed to be tired of it. When she went up on prices, we took advantage of the situation to bow out. For some excercise, fresh air, and socialization, we regularly attend park days twice a month, and the boys always enjoy meeting friends for monthly skating & bowling.  In addition to various fieldtrips, we attended all of the Bham Children's Theatre performances, the AL Symphony Orchestra's Young Peoples Concerts, and the Alys-Stephens Center's Meet the Artist performances. I think this will be the last year for BCT as the boys have decided they are "too old for it". We will also begin being choosier in which ASC performances we attend (some of those are too "babyish", too).  Most of the time, we're hanging at the house. The boys spend lots of time jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes/skateboards/dirt bikes, taking care of animals, playing army or having a Star Wars battle, romping in the woods or the pasture with their cousins....basically, just being boys!  Given the present economic situation (i.e. lack of money--LOL), we are unsure what the next year will bring. The boys say they want to play sports, but when they played soccer in year's past, they always burned out by 1/2 way through each season....don't think we want to go that route again. Maybe just some regularly scheduled "unorganized" sports days once or twice a month! Yeah! That sounds great! I've never been too crazy about one particular activity monopolizing the calendar like so many organized activities tend to do.


Mamie has co-op for 3 hours every other week. We try to go to as many plays and performances as possible because she loves them. We go on maybe one or two other field trips per month. Through April and May we also have softball and soccer. So these two months are pretty busy. Though we still make sure to have at least a 2 - 3 days each week to not have to leave home. During the summer she takes a drama day camp for one or two weeks. She loves to do such a variety of things. She used to be in gymnastics but it was more structure than she liked. She really wants to be in a play. We have a children's theater group locally and she will be old enough to enroll this summer - so we may do that. I don't know if she will like it, once she sees the discipline needed but if she wants to try then we probably will. My husband and I never got to do anything like sports or the arts so we let her do pretty much any activity she wants to try. When the newsletter has things we could do I read to her about them and let her decide if it is something she wants to do. I want her to have every opportunity to find her passion.


In our house we had a one activity per child rule, but Alex wanted to do some other things besides just his one and of course I said yes. Mostly because he has a very big love for Boy Scouts, he loves the outings and camping, summer camp, hikes. He loves every aspect of it and has done this since 4th grade, never asking for another activity until about 8th or 9th grade. All the activities the kids are involved in are activities they want to do, that is the only activities that we do. Both kids have piano once a week, Alex has scouts once a week, Alex is also involved in karate twice a week, then there is church activities, youth group and Joy Belles. Now if I had a say and my son was not so head strong I would LOVE to see him participate in the drama team at church with our youth, this was my passion as a young girl, but it is not my sons and I have learned to live with that. I do think; however, Bri may get involved in it, as she has been very upset with the Children's Dept for not choosing her for roles in their drama group. Anyway, we also participate in park days twice a month, both kids love this activity. Bri also takes art lessons once a week, which I believe right now is her biggest passion. She also has a passion for dance, but took a break this year; I loved the break, but she is counting down until she can go back. We have also participated in Art Appreciation once a month this year which both kids have LOVED. We are also involved in the Everest Outdoor Group once a month. Then there is the field trip once or twice a month. Oh and we are also in American Girl and do teen scene events, when we can. Sunday is our day for church, we go to the morning service and that is it. I do get flack, but usually reminding them that even God said no and used the 7th day as a day of rest, not because He could do no more, but because He chose not too. I think this is an awesome example to us as humans that we need to rest for the sake of our health and well being. These afternoons could be games, movies, or just a nap for me. I'm very protective of Sunday afternoon, just ask anyone who tries to plan anything for us on that day, I don't like it, and will rarely show up.  Okay stepping off the soap box now. We do have a full calendar, my kids enjoy all these activities and each year we re-evaluate what we want to do for the coming year and what we may want to continue. I do not coax, beg, or prod, unless it is to try and cut something out. The kids are actually pretty good at letting me know they don't want to do something or are feeling a little too overwhelmed and we will stop and look at what we could change to make things better. My kids LOVE their outside activities, probably much more than mom, who is actually the homebody, but that's okay they drag me along anyway kicking and screaming sometimes.


Well, we aren't obligated to anything. After about 10 years of constant running with PS events I put the brakes on and sat down and I enjoy it..LOL We do attend church and try to make an Everest park day here and there, and FAF outings are fun. Jamie would like to begin piano lessons and has decided to wait and add it to her schedule next year. She would also love to play softball (anyone have a team that needs a great 2nd baseman?). Nate would like to play football somewhere (he'd make a great lineman).


Both of our girls are involved at the YMCA with sports-soccer and swim team. They both have so many friends there that went to their school before (plus new friends) so I think that makes them pretty happy to see some familiar faces. They also play at the Y in kidzone when I go there to work out. Outside of that, we take them to parks, playgrounds, fishing and art galleries....since I show in an art gallery, they always go with me to deliver work and visit the gallery. They have all of these ideas of things they want to make and put in the gallery too :)  The only scheduled activities are the YMCA ones, we try to leave alot of open time so we can have plenty of flex.


Nathan was taking guitar lessons. We need to find a teacher now that we're moving to Arab. He has been in the Junior Ambassador class at Fresh Air Family, but I'm finding that it is a pain to drive over there on the weekends, and he isn't really getting much out of it for the price, so I think we're going to stop that.  In general, regularly scheduled events are a pain to keep up with, especially since I work full time. I think we'll stick with whatever field trips we may find or just going out with friends on our own schedule. I was looking at some week-long summer camps/classes at Sci-Quest in Huntsville. Daily for a week is much easier than 1-2x/week for however many weeks. I think my mom is taking him to Disney and Mobile over the summer too.


We attend church on Sundays and Wednesdays. We also take Dance classes, but right now the school year for dance classes is over until September. They will probably be bored unless I can find them something to do over the summer!

Negative Vibes

Hey Homeschoolers! 

I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

Question: How do you respond to friends, family, or even strangers who ask you weird homeschooling questions or express negativity? Do you think overall that you get a negative or positive vibe from people concerning homeschooling?

My Answer: I don't generally get negative vibes towards homeschooling...probably because of the negative vibes I give off towards public/private schooling. Mostly I just people who are genuinely interested. I did write down my feelings towards the whole "socialization" question. You can see that here: http://www.alabamahomeschooling.com/2010/02/socialization-factor.html .  I will say that when folks approach you, they will come at you with all sorts of "facts" about homeschooling that are completely wrong, so make sure you know what you are talking about including what is legal and what is not, the fact that your child CAN go to college, etc.  You can find some good statistics here:  http://www.alabamahomeschooling.com/2010/01/homeschooling-statistics.html .  

Answers:
It's funny, it seems like strangers and casual acquaintances seem to have a more positive vibe when they hear about homeschooling than my own family does, haha! However, I don't think that family members are intentionally being negative, but it is something different to them (no one in our family has ever homeschooled) and their questions about it probably make me feel more defensive than they should. This is my first year to homeschool, and we started halfway through, when they came home for Christmas from the public school, that was where we picked up. So even I have had my doubts about it, but I am positive that homeschooling is the best decision for us and I feel it is the safest and most fulfilling customized learning environment for the kids.

I have been prepped for this kind of reaction from my family though, because as a freelance graphic artist that owns a sign shop with my husband, I get the -maybe you can find a 'real job' one day ...hahaha! 'Real job' consisting of one where I punch a clock for someone else, and 'real school' consisting of someone else teaching my children...go figure.

That's true for me, too. It seems that strangers and people I've just met react more positively to homeschooling than my own family does. I wonder why that is? I have had several discussions with family members about homeschooling and our numerous reasons why we love it. I guess it's fear of the unknown - we're going outside the so called "box" and doing what we feel is right - and not what everyone else is doing. I'm the first in my family to homeschool. We know this is the right decision for us - and we absolutely love it!

Well, when we first decided to do it, and I talked to my mom about it. She said, 'well do you think that you and Lee are qualified to teach them-I mean teachers go to school and earn degrees to teach...' I really didnt know HOW to respond to that...Nevertheless, we still know that we are doing what is right for us, and our girls are so happy - that is all the proof I need :)

Only once have I gotten negative vibes from anyone - a stranger. He worked at Publix and questioned why the kids were out of school at noon that day. Shopping is one of the easiest ways for the kids to practice their math and reading skills - remember, they're 6. Now store employees know us and actually comment on our "learning" while shopping. Most times people are more shocked to meet someone who WANTS to be with their kids and quickly retorts, "I could never do that. I wouldn't have the patients".

If there are negative comments, I refer to the recent school closings of an already overburdened system, underfunding, drugs and safety issues etc. I think school used to be a great place. Now, the government just does not look seriously enough at the plight of schools when they cut back.  They make the decision and hope for the best. Shame, shame, shame.

If someone asks me weird homeschooling questions I usually tell them flat out what it is and what I do. I have gotten some positive and negative reactions. But I also get people that pretend to like homeschooling but they really don't and I can tell they don't but I won't name anyone. They act interested in it but really you can tell by the look on their face that they don't care for it. And its usually the reaction I get from public school teachers.

When I began this journey 13 years ago, I received many blank stares and "you do what?" responses......... Now almost everyone who comments is usually remarking on my children's nice behavior and manners, and that they can carry on a conversation with almost anyone. Our favorite clerk at the local $Tree commented on Katie's behavior again just the other day. She is amazed by the fact that Katie actually engages in a conversation instead of giving monosyllabic answers, ignoring her all together, or actually being rude. Those are the responses she typically sees from ps kids - her words, not mine! The other thing I've noticed is that now almost everyone "knows someone who does that". It has become quite accepted and - at times - seems to be almost envied by many who do not think they can homeschool. I must admit that when someone says "I could never do that!", I usually agree with them and say "No it is not for everyone". :-)

i think i've gotten more positive feed back then negative. maybe it's because i'm positive about it, maybe it's because these days colleges seek out homeschoolers.... maybe it's because i try to surround myself with like thinking folk.


the negatives mainly came from my family in the early days. my older sis is an elementary school teacher and i think she felt like i was dissing the teachers. it's not about the teachers... it's about the system (totally outdated and would take a complete overhaul to fix, imo). my family is pretty conservative, they are used to me by now :), and they have come to accept. but i still see the look in my dad's eye, and sometimes hear his sighs and mutterings of, 'when you finally put them in school....' at this point my sis and i talk about learning styles and strategies... i love that! 'no child left behind' helped these conversations happen (one good thing that came from all that nonsense!!!!)

I was actually expecting it when I pulled Nathan out of school last February, but when I told people they were very positive. Many commented that they'd heard that homeschooled kids finished earlier and learned more. Several people said that they'd thought that might be a good option for him because of all the trouble he'd had.  Nathan's therapist who manages his ADHD meds raised an eyebrow at first. He asked if I still worked, and I said yes, but he'd aged out of daycare and would have to stay alone over the summer anyway. I told him my plan and he just said, "Well, sounds like this is a well thought out plan." I was terrified he was going to report me to DHR for working while trying to homeschool.

My response it to usually answer with my distrust of our county school systems and that I feel I know what is best of my own child. Then if they have anything else to say I let them know that I humored them with the first question and after that I will tell them "frankly it is NONE of your business." In a firm voice.

Dating

Hey Homeschoolers! 

I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

Question: What is your philosophy on teen dating?

My Answer: Hmmm.... Good question! I have a 20-year-old who was in a 4 1/2 year relationship from the time he was 14 until he turned 19. He missed out on a lot because of that relationship. We did limit the amount of time and what they were allowed to do. They were basically chaperoned for three of those years. He does say now that he sees why we did not like the relationship and wishes he had listened. He also says that relationship was valuable in that he now knows what he is/is not looking for in a lasting relationship. I'm really interested to hear your philosophy. 

Answers:
Well! As my oldest is just 14 (maybe that statement gives you a clue as to my philosophy...) and has not yet expressed an interest in dating, this is a subject DH and I are still pondering. We both started dating a bit later and did very little dating in high school---just didn't find anyone we were interested in until later and married when we were 31 and 33. I've been thinking that group dating from around 14 would be okay with a parent driving to/from. Single dating maybe around 16+ but it all really depends on the teens involved. My mother used to have these completely arbitrary "rules" that she made up at the door when a date picked me up ---really tough to deal with-- and I won't do that. We're planning to have a talk to make some rules whenever the time comes that DD is interested in going on a date. And, as we have two daughters, DH is talking about buying a shotgun.... : -D


You know, after having 2 young adults and 2 more teens entering those years I have come to the conclusion that the best laid plans are subject to change. It is really hard to enforce anything, what works for one child doesn't necessarily work for all, and they are going to do what they want regardless of what you say. So unless you are going to lock them up until they are 25, or kick them out as soon as they break the rules, it is a crap shot as to what will happen.


I don't worry much about it. My teens are smart, careful and responsible. When the issue has come up, I've let them do what I felt was reasonable.


My oldest son turns 16 this week. Yikes! I'm sure we will be having this discussion soon.


We do not allow dating. We make sure they get to hang out with their friends, but no boyfriends or girlfriends. We asked the children to focus on themselves, have fun, and be carefree. This is the only time in their lives that they don't have to worry about adult responsibilities. Plus the opposite sex will always be around, no need to hurry.

Primary Teacher

Hey Homeschoolers! 

I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

QUESTION:  Who is the primary teacher in your family? Does the other parent help as well? 

My Answer:  It depends on which day you ask!  I guess I am the primary teacher, but Dad definitely plays an important role.  I do most of the schedule organizing, running around, finding and securing resources, and facilitating. Dad does lots of improptu lessons on homesteading, science, politics, current events, government, art, etc.   

Answers:
I (Mom) am the primary teacher. My husband will occasionally do a science lesson, but usually participates by actively asking what was learned that day and to see any "cool stuff." We also have the "are you smarter than" questions based on what we learned to see if Daddy can be stumped. This gets our son to dig into the material to find some specific details to quiz Dad later.


Mom is the primary teacher, but Dad will help with taking the kids to classes when there is a scheduling conflict and he also teaches them random things when they ask questions or he sees something neat(in nature, at work, etc)


Primary teacher, mom, dad helps sometimes.


Mom is the primary teacher. Dad helps by working to allow mom to stay at home to teach. Dad does not teach classes but is a great role model for his children. :)


I am the primary teacher. My husband helps with academics when I need him to. He teaches the boys how to work hard and manage money.


I (mom) am the primary teacher in our family. My husband hasn't helped much so far, but is going to help with advanced math this year.


I am the teacher & no, the other parent does not help



Both parents teach in our home. My husband is the primary teacher for our fifth grader and I am the primary teacher for our preschooler, but we interact constantly and also do lots of learning as an entire family. 


Me, the mother. My husband does help, sporadically  I do the mostly structured lesson like math and reading but he teaches them some science and history stuff. My kids are still little so I haven't delved deep into either science or history.


I (Mom) am the primary teacher in our family. Right now Dad does not help with the teaching. Like so many other homeschool families, he works hard to make the money so we can have the honor to homeschool. He works over 50 hours a week and is a bi-vocational Youth Pastor. He is also in college getting a Bible degree. We are praying that God will open up a full time position at our church soon. When he is able to start at the church full time, he will start helping with some teaching in things like P.E., Science, History and Art.


I, the Mom, am the primary teacher, but Dad helps as well. In our family, Dad is really gifted at teaching Math, building projects, and planning field trips.


The mom. Dad helps some and is especially helpful on field trips. I catch him teaching more and more although I'm not sure he knows he is. :)

Bible Studies

Hey Homeschoolers! 

I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator


Question: Do you incorporate Bible studies in your daily studies?  In what way?  

My Answer:  Yes, my children have done lots of Bible study. We have also studied different religions using multiple resources.  Dalton, at one time, thought he would be going into the ministry in some capacity and actually attended seminary shortly. He also did extensive Bible studies at church, on is own, and using the Glo software. Dae, who is much more visual, used movies from the library and the following resources from Netflix (links were correct when originally drafted):

Bible Overview:
The Bible - History Channel http://www.history.com/shows/the-bible

Old Testament:
The Bible....In the Beginning
In the Beginning
The Bible Collection: Samson & Delilah 
The Story of Ruth
The Story of David 
Solomon: The Bible 
Jeremiah: The Bible 
One Night With the King 

New Testament:
Time Travel Through the Bible 
The Nativity Story 
Jesus of Nazareth
The Passion of the Christ 
The Gospel of John 
The Story of the Twelve Apostles 
Paul the Apostle 
Paul the Emissary 
Seven Signs of the Apocalypse 
Apocalypse 
Revelation 
Tribulation
Judgement 
The Robe 
Ben Hur 

Answers:
We do not currently have structured Bible studies daily (though I would like to). We do often bring the Bible and it's teachings into the lessons when it can be incorporated as part of the discussion. This is most often in history, art, and science.

I don't believe Bible is a daily for us. We do say prayers together, we talk about all the wonders that God created in nature and in each of them, but we don't have a dedicated devotional time.

Yes I incorporate Bible by reading the Bible with the kids and the curriculm we use is written from a Christian perspective.

We read scripture daily. We usually follow a formal study. Last year was survey of the Old Testament. (Read OT and followed study with questions and activities.) The year was the Ministry of Christ. (Read NT and followed study with questions and activities.) We usually take outside classes as well on Church History and World Religions.

Studying the Bible is part of our daily life because that is how we learn to be more like Christ. We read devotionals, have Bible memorizations, and topical studies. In the past we have studies “The Names of Christ”, Proverbs, and Jonah. We attend an AWANA Program, Sunday School and worship services.

We do Bible Study every day. Our kids have a jornal that they write, draw, or write scriptures in.

They spend the first 30 minutes of the day with God. We also do a series of books called "Studying God's Word" by Christian Liberty Press that we have enjoyed. We did the Old Testament the last two years and next year we are doing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We are looking forward to it. We also do character books and listen to cd's on each subject. I have used lots of things from Doorposts and enjoy their charts.

I also have found free printables on Rose Publishing that are awesome. They send one free one a week and I use them often for our lessons.

We do. :) Our ten year old reads a chapter from Rod & Staff's, "Bible Stories to Tell" every day while his preschool aged little sister listens and enjoys a coordinating coloring pages from their, "Bible Stories to Color" workbook. We also do family devotions and prayer, and try to thank God throughout our day for so many things we have to be grateful for. Every mealtime we pray for those who do not have the food/water/health they need. I think it reaches the heart when you are about to take a drink from a tall glass of clean cool water and remembering that there are so millions around the world who have never experienced that in their entire lives.

We use scripture stories and descuss the meanings and how we can apply it in our lives.

Yes. Our curriculum is Bible based. We, also, have daily Bible studies each day of the week. Sometimes I teach a lesson to everyone. Sometimes they have their own lessons or scripture reading to do. They have Bible verses to memorize from Sunday School. On Wednesday, we have Bible study at church.

I have stopped teaching Bible as a 'subject.' We do talk about the Bible, especially when something comes up, but I didn't want Bible to be added to a list of things my kids 'had' to do. I'm not sure, for my family, that making the Bible a chore is the right thing to do. We hope that our kids will choose to make time for Bible reading from their own hearts and not because it falls between English and History.

We are using Discovering Scriptures. We read a scripture story and answer questions, draw pictures, and memorize scripture verses. 

How do you motivate a reluctant homeschooler?

Hey Homeschoolers! I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.
You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 
Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator
Question: What are different ways that moms handle a child who is being very negative about school and being very slow about getting it done or trying to get out of work? How do you encourage a child who fights instruction from mom because mom is who she is mostly around? And how can mom keep from getting sucked in to that negativity to bring it around to a positive, productive time and not take it personally?

Answers:
Child 1 was easy and preferred for me to let her choose what she studied and she would work on it continuously in her room on her own. No arguments she just loved studying. Child 2, boy, totally different story! I have learned to adapt to what he is feeling more than me demanding him to do it or be grounded. Unschooling style with a twist of traditional subjects. This has saved me a lot of arguing and tears and me feeling like a failure.


Another way is to try and give the child more choice in his education. Even if it's something simple like getting to choose between markers and a pencil for spelling. Or doing math on a white board, a mirror, or with sidewalk chalk.

There are certain things I make my youngest (11) do, like math, because it is necessary. But with her I really take a more unschooling approach. I let her do what she's interested in. The more I try to stick with a curriculum, the more she fights it. If she's not going back to "regular" school I don't see why she has to learn certain things at certain times. If she's truly not interested I no longer fight that battle. I've noticed over the past year how she says no, then "matures" towards a subject. I firmly believe it will all come in time. She's also a bit ADD so we do our school in bits and snatches...again, better outcome with less bickering. Took two years to figure this out, after many, many fights and "I hate you" conversations.

Finding a secondary accountability source is a good one. The local library is giving out prizes for reading 20 minutes a day this summer, for instance. That helps. You can also have a grandparent, aunt, etc. As a secondary source.

Place responsibility on child for work..not done homework. .or weekend work.. give schedule what must be accomplished for the week..stand firm..find another person to be accountable to..

Using the Library for Homeschooling

Hey Homeschoolers! I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers.   Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line.  

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

Question:  In what ways do you utilize the library?

My Answer:  We have utilized our library in SO many ways. We have a great interlibrary exchange program where we can order any book, CD, DVD, etc from any of the Jefferson County libraries and have them sent to our library. We order books and movies all the time. We also buy used books, usually for $.10, for our personal library. We have done all kinds of programs at our library such as drama camp, sign language, movies, etc. Dae used to go up to the library to play the piano every day, and Dalton used to volunteer there. We are currently attending Career Club, Family Scouts, and 4H at our local library....much more than just books.


Answers:
Oh we Love our library!!!! We are in the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. We order books & audios online & pick them up at our closest library. I started years ago ordering unabridged books & the matching unabridged audios for my oldest son with dyslexia to listen to & follow along in the book. His reading speed & fluency took off! We could never have afforded all of those audio books. I am so grateful we have access to our library system. Even with our extensive home library, I am the lady that shows up with a large utility tote for books & audios. We used to check out puzzles, games, & other items, but with 5 kids, I just can't keep track of all of that now. It's nice to know the resources are there though.


We love our library! We supplement all science and math with resources there. All of our history and most of our electives comes from there. They will find us anything we need and even give us longer checkout times.


I use both Jefferson & Shelby county system libraries; on site & online. I am an avid patron & always have been.


We don't. The library has culled out so many of the classics and books with good Christian values and replaced them with books that rewrite history and are politically correct that it isn't worth my time to sift through to find a couple decent books. The last few times we went and asked the librarians for help they were not helpful at all. They would say - oh that should be in one of those bins there (there are like 30 bins), or ' well the computer says its not checked out so I don't know where it is'. It use to be a favorite place to go now I get a better selection at the used book stores or thrift stores.


I don't know how we would make it without our libraries! We visit ours at least once a week if not twice. We read for pleasure but also check out living books, bios, etc to supplement our curriculum. We have even found actual homeschooling text books on the shelves of the local library. They also have very educational summer reading programs and story time for the little ones that we have taken advantage of since the kids were very small. They do lots of fun , free summer activities, crafts, movie nights, etc. We love our library! ( we actually go to four but mainly one in particular)


I use the public library ALL the time-----I'm nearly 66, a retired public school teacher and now teach in a homeschool co-op-----yes, and loving it. Nothing like the old way of doing somethings ----- I like getting the book, flipping thru it, actually HOLDING it, and then checking out a BIG stack. I write down page number or use sticky papers-----yeah, I have a lap-top and search lots of things, BUT, gotta love those books AND seeing every age in the library enjoying themselves and the printed page.


Ditto, Sherry! Our library system is great (Huntsville). Lots of science DVDs and good audio books (daughters are visual/auditory learners, one is dyslexic). Also, full Magic Treehouse collection. Best part: I can "shop" online for a range of media on a subject, put things on hold, and pick up at the closest library to me. LOVE that! 


Summer Reading Programs! I actually signed up in 2 different libraries this year. After paying for "extra activities" all school year, it's great that they can go to these special programs for free. Also their prize incentive program has really encouraged my kids to read, read, read.


We don't. We prefer Netflix and ebooks or use Amazon for physical books. The process of going to the library is a major chore.


My children are both avid readers, but we also use the library to follow up our reading with classic movies.


We used to use the educational videos there, and even used some books at times. Most of the textbooks we have were purchased at the Friends of the Library bookstore. Now that my son is older, we use an online curriculum from elearningk12, but my son still spends a lot of time at the library - he volunteers there. He has his own library card and has read just about everything in the YA section. He attends a lot of the social events that they host there too. The time he spends there has helped him overcome a lot of social problems he has had due to his autism. He's learned a good work ethic volunteering there. The youth services volunteer coordinator, Emily, has been a great influence on him, and he thinks the world of her.


I love being able to get e books from the Jefferson county library. I have.noticed a lot more educational e books that my girls are loving. I also like to order what I want ans just go pick it up.


We've recently moved to another state and one thing I can say is I really miss the Jefferson County Coop. It was so useful in so many ways. It gave my child access to any book he could possibly want, while was invaluable as he was learning to read. From a teaching position, it was wonderful because I could request any books, DVDs, or other media and have it sent to my closest library. When it came to homeschooling resources, it also allowed me to preview many materials before purchasing. I could go on and on! If you have access to Jefferson County's Coop and you're not using it, you're missing out! Trust me, you don't know what you've got until it's gone!


Ours in Boaz, AL is great we try to find books they can learn from but also fun books like Barbie or something like that but mostly books that improve there reading


Our library offers Mango for foreign languages....free! Great for homeschoolers! French, German, Spanish, and Chinese 


We love the local Birmingham libraries! I have a younger child and all the story times and extra programs they share are wonderful  We have met great ppl at the library and I'm thankful for those librarians. They don't compare to my zone city school Teachers.

Short Term or Long Term Homeschooler?


Hey Homeschoolers! I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers. Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line. 

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

Question: What are your homeschooling plans? Are you a short-term homeschooler, or do you plan to homeschool through high school? Why?

My Answer: Definitely long term. I already have one that has graduated and another well on her way. Why? Oh! Let me count the reasons... Got a few hours? In a nutshell...Better environment, better education, better life, happiness, life experiences, freedom... I could go on and on.

Answers:
I am planning to homeschool until my grandchildren graduate highschool! I don't have grandchildren, of course, but that is just a picture of my commitment. I feel very strongly that my children are getting the best of life right here, at home. My kids are thriving and I am certainly enjoying the journey. When we started this homeschool adventure, I would not have been able to answer this question, but now with a few years under my belt, I'm in it for the long haul. If you asked my children, they would tell you that they want to homeschool through high school. I have one that tells me they want to homeschool through college. I'm pretty sure that tune will change, but I love the attitude! To anyone who's doubting or struggling, hang in there! It just gets better!


Lord willing, I'm planning to homeschool for life.


Definitely through high school. Older daughter graduated this spring. She did very well, was accepted to her “reach” college, and her high school years were a very good time for all of us. Younger daughter, a 10th grader, is on the same path and I’m really looking forward to enjoying the next few years with her before she, too, starts her own life. When my DDs were in 4th and 1st grades, the thought of homeschooling through high school was very intimidating to me. As we completed each year, the idea of homeschooling through high school seemed much more possible and now, having done it once, it seems to me a better route for many, many reasons.


Long termer - simply from God’s direction. I trust in Him to give direction for all homeschooling decisions and He has never let me down. Proverbs 3:5-6

A Day in the Life of a Homeschooler

Hey Homeschoolers! I am working on making a resource for new homeschoolers where they ask the questions and veteran homeschoolers give the answers. My goal is to provide advice, resources, and most of all to show that there is more than one way of doing things. 

Please contact me with your answer to the following question. I have already included answers that folks sent me on Facebook. Please let me know if you do not want me to include your name in the posting. Please give as much info as possible including links, details, explanations, etc... I will add your answers to this page so that new homeschoolers will have a resource to refer back to again and again.

You can contact me at everestacademy1@gmail.com with your questions and answers.   Please put "Blog Challenge" in the subject line.  

Thanks!
Deb Spradlin
Everest Academy Administrator

Question:  Many people want to know what a day of homeschooling is like. Please tell us what a typical homeschooling day is in your family. 

Answers:
*Mechanics class with dad where the boys learned how to change the oil in their dirt bikes.  We also had carpentry lessons when we built our chicken coop by hand.  The boys worked hard with their daddy to build our chicken coop. They learned about measuring and angles, how to use power tools, and actually helped brain-storm for ideas on how to solve problems.


*Today was dissection day! This year we are studying marine biology. Our co-op class met at our house for the afternoon. We dissected, watched some video, saw Christmas Island crabs on you tube and played a game to review all we've learned this year. Third grade science was NEVER this much fun!


*Our school varies from day to day and from season to season. Two things are consistent though: Science taking over the house and reading.


*I like to have a theme of the week. We usually start the day off with chores and breakfast, then move on to "school time" when the boys have math and directed reading. This picture was from our foods of the world week. We like to make lunch themed as well at least once a week. Latkes are yummy!  Our afternoons are full of movement. I try to make sure that we spend at least an hour a day moving, either by playing tennis, taking a nature walk, going on a field trip, or even making our chores into something fun and exhausting.  Late afternoons are another short clean up time and free time. Usually the boys will play Wii games for an hour, then play with the dog and each other in their "fort" out back. We keep things pretty simple and free flowing around here.


*My son is totally into weaponry. He has researched weaponry from all of the American wars leading to a love of history. He was also VERY into Legos. I say run with it.


*We have typical days and some not so typical. For the most part we start school at 10 am after everyone is awake and had breakfast. We turn off the tv and anything distracting. We usually do Math first because it gets them focused, then on to History or Science.  We do spelling all day long even when we aren't schooling! From time to time we do Art and Writing but I don't make those a daily course. Reading is a must for at least an hour, but usually they go over because they enjoy reading! We do enjoy the more hands on learning so I try to play lots of games or go places that we can explore more into what we are studying. I try to let the kids pick what we are learning that week and not just go chapter to chapter in the books because it seems to help them focus when it is something they like to learn about :) We aren't your typical school day but it works for us!


*As you might guess, a typical homeschooling day in the Taylor house is anything but typical. Sure, we have those days when it seems like we're just schooling at home, but for the most part, no two days are the same. I have three kids ranging from third-grade to high school. During the summer before a school year starts, we decide on what each kid is going to study for the next school year. Typically, we study five or six subjects each school year. The math and language families are always included in those subjects, but the kids generally get a lot of say in the other subjects, bearing in mind that my oldest's need to line up with his diploma requirements. So, after we decide what we're going to do, the next step is to find a plan, or a lack thereof, to implement it.

This brings me to a typical day. For the sake of honesty, I'm going to use a typical day from last year so that I can resist the urge to tell you next year will be perfect. We generally school Monday through Friday. Chandler, my oldest, usually gets up first and that gives us a chance to talk about anything he's having trouble with, usually Algebra. We tend to work on that together until the other two kids decide to crawl out of bed. We don't have set bedtimes in our house, unless I have issues getting my kids up when I want them up, so if Chandler gets up at 7:30 on his own, that generally gives us an hour and a half of uninterrupted time to work on his most difficult subject. My schedule pretty much ends right there. Yep, you read that right. By 9:00 in the morning, my structure is, for all intents and purposes, complete.

After we've crossed Algebra off of our mental list of things to do, a general flurry of activity takes place with no rhyme or reason. Kimbre and Connor do a lot of their school work together and so a 'typical' day might look like this: Bre offers to play I-civics with Connor for half an hour while Chandler and I get into a discussion about the politics we watched the afternoon before on television. Then, Connor might declare a family Freerice competition in which we'll all grab a lap-top and see who can earn the most pieces of rice in a set amount of time. Bre Elise will inevitably offer to write someone a letter or find a recipe for dinner while Connor drudges through a penmanship page that I've made for him. Chandler will, if I haven't hidden it from him, study Latin to the detriment of every other academic subject. Following the Shurley Grammar method, we'll all at some point end up at the kitchen table classifying sentences for a while and Kimbre almost always volunteers to teach Connor his math. Connor will bring me a science book and ask me to read out loud. Chandler will study soil amendment  hydrogen fuel cells, survival skills, or some other scientific phenomena on the computer. After Algebra, the only thing that ties us to a schedule is that we watch a few shows together everyday. Little House on the Prairie is a favorite, as well as the Glenn Beck show, Drive-thru-History, and the Creation Series. Everyday also requires a hefty trip to the vegetable garden and ends with family chores and cooking dinner. An hour before bedtime is set aside each weeknight throughout the year for reading. This is generally the flow of the day. Sometimes the subjects, or at least the methods change, but we pretty much operate this way. I find myself struggling to keep up with them, but for us, this works much better than a schedule taped to the refrigerator. Not only do they tend to get more done, they enjoy it.

It might be important to know that my kids get a weekly list of things I'd like them to accomplish. They use this list to build their own days, so to speak. The lists I give them add up to well more than a year's study of each subject we are working on that year. I would say that Chandler, the oldest, has the most structure while the youngest has the least. My kids, as you would imagine, have their individual strengths and weaknesses, but overall, I'm confident in saying that they are good students, they enjoy learning and they won't struggle their way through college. 


*I would like to say that our home school runs smoothly every day, but that would be stretching the truth a bit. It is many hours of patience, work, and fun. Now that we are in our 6th year of homeschooling, I have a system that works fairly well for us. I have 3 sons ages 10, 11, and 2. During the school year, (summer is a totally different schedule), my older boys start their chores about 6:00 a.m. They clean their rooms, gather the laundry, sort it and begin a load. We eat breakfast around 6:45 and start school about 7:00. From 7:00 -9:00, we have textbook school. This is generally our science or history time, subjects that involve a lot of discussing. At 9:00, the toddler awakens and my older boys are on their own with school work. They usually take a recess break for about 30 minutes and then come in for a snack. Around 10:00a.m., the boys get back to school work and I help them while I’m cleaning toddler messes, cooking, doing preschool activities etc. Generally, from 10-12, school is done lightly. These hours are reserved primarily for preschool learning and interaction. We all help with that.

From 1:30-3:00, during the toddler’s nap time, the older boys read, draw, or do quiet activities in their room or outside. Around 4:30, we finish up chores and start supper. After the dinner dishes are put away and the kitchen is cleaned, we may have family night and play a board game or cards. We go over any problems they may have had with school work. We have devotion and prayer time and the kids usually go to bed about 8:00 PM.

I don’t think we have a regular routine during the summer. The month of June was filled with VBS, a Growing Roots Workshop at Camp McDowell, which was awesome, library programs, a few swimming days, and a weekend camping trip at the lake. July is going to be garden month. During the past week, we have shucked corn, snapped green beans and pealed peas. My fridge is so full of garden veggies; I have no room for anything else. We will be freezing and canning vegetables this month.

We read a lot during the summer, do some history and science, and play more video games than we would during the regular school season. 

In addition to school work, the boys are involved in soccer, basketball, and baseball. We have piano, AWANA’s, skate days, and Froggy’s. 

Homeschooling is a very full, fun, and exciting life. We love it and feel blessed to have this opportunity.


*We're pretty laid back in my house when it comes to what time school starts. I usually get up around 6 in the morning to spend time with hubby before he goes to work. My 14 year old son usually gets up around 8am. He does his morning hygiene ritual, has breakfast then sits down at the computer so he can do the days work. We use the SOS program and on most days it takes him about 1.5 hours to complete all his computer subjects. Those subjects are Algebra, World Geography, Chemistry, English 1, High School Health, and Computer Business. At around 10am I wake my 13 year old up so she can start her day. It takes her about 1.5 hours to complete all her computer classes which include; Algebra, History, Science, Language, Constitution, & High School Health. Once her school work is done she does her daily chores, we have lunch together as a family, they have around 30 minutes to goof off. Around 1pm we all sit down and read our books for a while. After we read it's time for Art, Music, and son takes accounting after these are over. By 2:30pm all computer and book work is over so we get in our physical education in several different ways; bike riding, swimming, playing on the trampoline, trail walking, hopping on the elliptical machine or just turning on some good music and dancing until we're tired. Depending on the day depends on the events that are scheduled that evening. The kids take part in Girl Scouts, Guitar lessons, Riding (equestrian), youth programs with our church, skating/bowling with the church, or just going out side to interact with their friends in the neighborhood. Our learning doesn't stop when the weekend comes. Each weekend we take the kids to different places to learn different things. This past weekend we went to Blue Springs State park to swim ... they learned about the natural springs that they swam in, the indigenous fish of the area,George Wallace who was born in this town and they learned that this area was famous for Moonshine. I know we don't run our school like other families, but it works for us perfectly and that's what's important.